Adamantylglycine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV and methods

ABSTRACT

Compounds are provided having the formula (I)  
                 
wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; the sum of n+m less then or equal to 2; the dashed bonds forming a cyclopropyl ring can only be present when Y is CH; X is H or CN; 
         Y is CH, CH 2 , CHF, CF 2 , O, S, SO, or SO 2 ; and A is adamantyl. Further provided are methods of using such compounds for the treatment of diabetes and related diseases, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/899,641filed Jul. 27, 2004, now allowed in turn claims the priorty benefit ofU.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/491,832 filed Aug. 1, 2003, allof which are expressly incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to adamantylglycine-based inhibitors ofdipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4), to methods for employing such compoundsalone or in combination with another type of therapeutic agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Depeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) is a membrane bound non-classical serineaminodipeptidase which is located in a variety of tissues (intestine,liver, lung, kidney) as well as on circulating T-lymphocytes (where theenzyme is known as CD-26). DPP-4 is believed responsible for themetabolic cleavage of certain endogenous peptides (GLP-1 (7-36),glucagon) in vivo and has demonstrated proteolytic activity against avariety of other peptides (GHRH, NPY, GLP-2, VIP) in vitro.

GLP-1 (7-36) is a 29 amino-acid peptide derived by post-translationalprocessing of proglucagon in the small intestine. GLP-1(7-36) hasmultiple actions in vivo including the stimulation of insulin secretion,inhibition of glucagon secretion, the promotion of satiety, and theslowing of gastric emptying. Based on its physiological profile, theactions of GLP-1(7-36) are expected to be beneficial in the preventionand treatment of type II diabetes and potentially obesity. To supportthis claim, exogenous administration of GLP-1(7-36) (continuousinfusion) in diabetic patients has demonstrated efficacy in this patientpopulation. Unfortunately GLP-1(7-36) is degraded rapidly in vivo andhas been shown to have a short half-life in vivo (t1/2≈1.5 min). Basedon a study of genetically bred DPP-4 KO mice and on in vivo/in vitrostudies with selective DPP-4 inhibitors, DPP-4 has been shown to be theprimary degrading enzyme of GLP-1(7-36) in vivo. GLP-1(7-36) is degradedby DPP4 efficiently to GLP-1(9-36), which has been speculated to act asa physiological antagonist to GLP-1(7-36). Thus, inhibition of DPP-4 invivo should potentiate endogenous levels of GLP-1(7-36) and attenuateformation of its antagonist GLP-1(9-36), thereby serving to amelioratethe diabetic condition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, compounds of formula (I) areprovided

-   -   wherein:    -   n is 0, 1 or 2;    -   m is 0, 1 or 2;    -   the sum of n plus m is less then or equal to 2 the dashed bonds        forming a cyclopropyl ring can only be present when Y is CH;    -   X is H or CN;    -   Y is CH, CH₂, CHF, CF₂, O, S, SO, or SO₂    -   A is adamantyl which can be optionally substituted with from        zero to six substituents each independently selected from OR¹,        NR¹R², alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,        bicycloalkyl, bicycloalkylalkyl, alkylthioalkyl,        arylalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl,        heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl and cycloheteroalkylalkyl, all        optionally substituted through available carbon atoms with 1, 2,        3, 4 or 5 groups selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl,        polyhaloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, polyhaloalkoxy,        alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,        polycycloalkyl, heteroarylamino, arylamino, cycloheteroalkyl,        cycloheteroalkylalkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, cyano,        amino, substituted amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, thiol,        alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,        alkynylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenylaminocarbonyl,        alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,        alkylsulfonylamino, alkylaminocarbonylamino,        alkoxycarbonylamino, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,        alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido and sulfonyl;    -   R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl,        alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl;    -   with the proviso that the compound of formula (I) is not        selected from

The definition of formula I above includes all pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, stereoisomers, and prodrug esters of formula I.

The compounds of formula I possess activity as inhibitors of DPP-4 invivo and are useful in the treatment of diabetes and the micro- andmacrovascular complications of diabetes such as retinopathy, neuropathy,nephropathy, and wound healing. Such diseases and maladies are alsosometimes referred to as “diabetic complications”.

The present invention provides for compounds of formula I,pharmaceutical compositions employing such compounds and for methods ofusing such compounds. In particular, the present invention provides apharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a compound of formula I, alone or in combination with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Further provided is a method for treating or delaying the progression oronset of diabetes, especially type II diabetes, including complicationsof diabetes, including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and delayedwound healing, and related diseases such as insulin resistance (impairedglucose homeostasis), hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, elevated bloodlevels of fatty acids or glycerol, obesity, hyperlipidemia includinghypertriglyceridemia, Syndrome X, atherosclerosis and hypertension, andfor increasing high density lipoprotein levels, wherein atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I isadministered to a mammalian, e.g., human, patient in need of treatment.

The compounds of the invention can be used alone, in combination withother compounds of the present invention, or in combination with one ormore other agent(s) active in the therapeutic areas described herein.

In addition, a method is provided for treating diabetes and relateddiseases as defined above and hereinafter, wherein a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a combination of a compound of formula I and atleast one other type of therapeutic agent, such as an antidiabetic agentand/or a hypolipidemic agent, is administered to a human patient in needof treatment.

Further embodiments of the present invention include compounds offormula (I) selected from

In the above method of the invention, the compound of formula (I) willbe employed in a weight ratio to the antidiabetic agent or other typetherapeutic agent (depending upon its mode of operation) within therange from about 0.01:1 to about 500:1, preferably from about 0.1:1 toabout 100:1, more preferably from about 0.2:1 to about 10:1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compounds of the present invention provide very potent DPP-IVinhibitory activity in vitro against the human enzyme, where Ki's weremeasured using natural and psuedosubstrates. Further, in rodent modelsof impaired glucose homeostasis, the claimed compounds provided moreeffective reduction in peak and 4 hour area under the curve (AUC) plasmaglucose after an oral glucose challenge.

Inhibitors of serine proteases such as DPP-IV can often be characterizedby their resemblance to the native substrates or portions thereof,cleaved by the specific enzyme. A standard nomenclature established bySchecter and Berger (I. Schecter, A. Berger, Biochem. Biophys. Res.Commun. 1967, 27, 157) denotes those residues of the substrate (orinhibitor) which bind in enzyme pockets on either side of the scissilepeptidic bond as P1 and P1′, with sequential numbering in the aminoterminal direction following on as P2, P3 etc., and in the carboxyterminal direction as P2′, P3′ etc. As the enzyme DPP-IV cleaves theamino terminal (N-terminal) dipeptide from substrates with theappropriate recognition sequence, the N-terminus of DPP-IV substrates isgenerally synonymous with the P2 moiety. The present series ofinhibitors of DPP-IV consists of compounds which bind to the samepockets occupied by the P2 and P1 residues of the native substrates,referred to as the S2 and S1 pockets in the enzyme. For example, theadamantylglycine pyrrolidide compound illustrated below contains a P2unit and a P1 unit.

The compounds of the present invention all contain an adamantyl moietyor substituted adamantyl moiety in the P2 position, with varied P1units. Our extensive investigations of various inhibitors of DPP-IV hasrevealed that in fixing the P2 unit as an adamantyl- or substitutedadamantyl-containing glycine moiety, that a marked, measurablebeneficial effect on in vitro DPP-IV inhibitory potency and/or enhancedactivity in animal models of impaired glucose homeostasis has resulted.We have further observed that this effect is consistent across a broadrange of P1 components, whereby within each respective subclass ofinhibitors defined by the P1 moiety, that the presence of the adamantyl-or substituted adamantyl-glycine moiety in the P2 position confersactivity to the whole inhibitor which is superior to those of the givensubclass defined by the P1 moiety with non-adamantyl containing P2units.

The compounds of formula I of the invention can be prepared as shown inthe following reaction schemes and description thereof, as well asrelevant published literature procedures that may be used by one skilledin the art. Exemplary reagents and procedures for these reactions appearhereinafter in the working Examples.

Reagents and conditions: a. EDAC, HOBT, DMF or i-BuOCOCl/TEA or PyBop,NMM b. PG=Boc, TFA or HCl; PG=Cbz, H₂/Pd/C or TMSI; PG=FMOC, Et₂NH. C.POCl₃, pyridine, imidazole or cyanuric chloride, DMF, or TFAA, pyridine.

Referring to Reaction Scheme 1, compound 1, where PG is a common amineprotecting group such as Boc, Cbz, or FMOC as set out below, may begenerated by methods as described herein or in the literature (forexample, see Robl et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,767).

Referring to Reaction Scheme 1, compound 2 where X is H or CONH₂ may beobtained from commercial sources, or alternatively generated by methodsas described herein or in the literature (for example, see Sagnard et.al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1995, 36, pp. 3148-3152; Tverezovsky et. al.,Tetrahedron, 1997, 53, pp. 14773-14792; Hanessian et. al., Bioorg. Med.Chem. Lett., 1998, 8, p. 2123-2128; Robl et. al., U.S. Pat. No.6,395,767; Villhauer et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,949; Jenkins et. al.,U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,560; Evans et. al., WO 01/81337; Broqua et. al., WO02/083109; Pitt et. al., WO 03/000250; Ashton et. al., WO 02/076450;Haffner et. al., WO 03/002530, Haffner et. al., WO 03/002531). Amine 2may be coupled to various protected substituted adamantylglycine aminoacids (1) (where PG can be any of the PG protecting groups) usingstandard peptide coupling conditions (e.g. EDAC/HOAT, i-BuCOCOCl/TEA,PyBop/NMM) to afford the corresponding protected dipeptide 3. Where X=H,removal of the amine protecting group PG provides compound I of theinvention. Where X=CONH₂, dehydration to a cyano (CN) group may beaccomplished by, use of appropriate dehydrating conditions, such as forexample TFAA/pyridine or POCl₃/pyridine/imidazole. Subsequent removal ofthe protecting group as previously described provides a compound offormula Ia.

Reagents and conditions: a. LAH, or esterification then LAH b. SwernOxidation, or TEMPO, NaOCl c.R-(−)-2-Phenylglycinol, NaHSO₃, KCN d.12MHCl, HOAc, 80 C, 16 h, 78% d. 12M HCl, HOAc, 80 C, 16 h, 78% e. 20%Pd(OH)₂, 50 psi H2, MeOH:HOAc, 5:1 f. (Boc)2O, K2CO3, DMF, 92%, 2 steps.g. KMnO4, Heat, KOH 30-90%.

Scheme 2 provides a general route to protected, substitutedadamantylglycine amino acids (1) by an asymmetric Strecker Reaction.Carboxylic acids 4 can be esterified using for example either MeOH withHCl at reflux or using trimethylsilyldiazomethane in Et₂O/methanol togive methyl esters. Reduction of the ester group with LAH to the alcoholand subsequent oxidation (for example Swern oxidation) gives aldehydes5. Aldehyde 5 can be transformed to 6 under asymmetric Streckerconditions with KCN, NaHSO₃ and R-(−)-2-phenylglycinol. The nitrilegroup of 6 can then be hydrolyzed under strongly acidic conditions,using, for example, 12M HCl in HOAc to give the carboxylic acids 7. Thechiral auxiliary can then be removed by catalytic reduction using, forexample, Pearlman's catalyst in acidic methanol under 50 psi hydrogen togive, after protection of the resulting amino group, as for example thet-butylcarbamate, protected adamantylglycine amino acids 1. Furtherelaboration of the functionality of protected adamantylglycine aminoacids 1 can be carried out prior to coupling with amines 2, such asoxidation to hydroxyadamantyl compounds 1a or 1b, with a suitableoxidizing agent, such as for example, KMnO₄.

Reagents and conditions: (a) iodobenzene diacetate, I₂, CH₂Cl₂, rt; (b)MeOH, rt; (c) TMSOTf, N,N-diisopropylethylamine, CH₂Cl₂, 0° C.; (d)diethylzinc, ClCH₂I, Et₂O, 0° C. to rt; (e) H₂, 10% Pd/C, HCl, EtOH.

For certain amine moieties (2), synthetic sequences are outlined hereinin Schemes 3 and 4. For example, the racemic synthesis of2,3-methanopyrrolidine is outlined in Scheme 3. Commercially availableCbz-protected L-proline (8) was oxidatively decarboxylated by treatmentwith iodobenzene diacetate and elemental iodine in dichloromethane,followed by stirring in methanol to provide the racemic protected2-methoxypyrrolidine 9. Dehydration of methoxy compound 9 was achievedby treatment with Hunig's base and trimethylsilyl triflate to giveprotected dihydropyrrole 10. Standard cyclopropanation conditions(diethylzinc, chloroiodomethane) to give the methano product 11,followed by deprotection of the benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz) group underacidic conditions afforded the racemic 2,3-methanopyrrolidine as thecorresponding hydrochloride salt.

Reagents and conditions: (a) benzyl bromide, N,N-diisopropylethylamine,CH₂Cl₂, rt; (b) trifluoroacetic acid anhydride, TEA, CH₂Cl₂, 0° C.; (c)NaBH₄, EtOH/H₂O, rt; (d) 1-chloroethyl chloroformate, CH₂Cl₂, reflux.

A route to the homochiral methanopyrrolidine is outlined in Scheme 4.Beginning with (L)-cis-4,5-methanoprolinamide 13 (see Robl et. al. U.S.Pat. No. 6,395,767), protection of the proline nitrogen can beaccomplished using benzyl bromide and Hunig's base in dichloromethane togive intermediate 14. Dehydration of the amide to the correspondingnitrile can be achieved using trifluoroacetic anhydride andtriethylamine in dichloromethane to give cyano compound 15. Reductiveremoval of the cyano group of 15 by treatment with, for example sodiumborohydride in aqueous ethanol affords benzyl protectedmethanopyrrolidine 16. Removal of the benzyl protecting group can beaccomplished by treatment with α-chloroethyl acetyl chloride (ACE-Cl) inrefluxing dichloromethane to give the desired(2S,3R)-2,3-methanopyrrolidine 17 in optically pure form as thehydrochloride salt.

The following definitions apply to the terms as used throughout thisspecification, unless otherwise limited in specific instances.

The term adamantyl as employed herein alone or as part of another grouprefers to:

Optionally, said adamantyl group may be substituted with one or moresubstitutants as those defined for alkyl and as defined in the claimsand detailed description herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkyl”, “alkyl” or “alk” asemployed herein alone or as part of another group includes both straightand branched chain hydrocarbons, containing 1 to 20 carbons, preferably1 to 10 carbons, more preferably 1 to 8 carbons, in the normal chain,such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl,pentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, heptyl, 4,4-dimethylpentyl, octyl,2,2,4-trimethyl-pentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, the variousbranched chain isomers thereof. Optionally, said alkyl groups may besubstituted with one or more substitutants, such as halo, for example F,Br, Cl or I or CF₃, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, aryl(aryl) or diaryl,arylalkyl, arylalkyloxy, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,cycloalkylalkyloxy, amino, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, acyl, heteroaryl,heteroaryloxy, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkoxy, aryloxyalkyl,alkylthio, arylalkylthio, aryloxyaryl, alkylamido, alkanoylamino,arylcarbonylamino, nitro, cyano, thiol, haloalkyl, trihaloalkyl and/oralkylthio.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “cycloalkyl” as employed hereinalone or as part of another group includes saturated or partiallyunsaturated (containing 1 or 2 double bonds) cyclic hydrocarbon groupscontaining 1 to 3 rings, including monocyclic alkyl, bicyclic alkyl (orbicycloalkyl) and tricyclic alkyl, containing a total of 3 to 20 carbonsforming the ring, preferably 3 to 10 carbons, forming the ring and whichmay be fused to 1 or 2 aromatic rings as described for aryl, whichincludes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl,cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl and cyclododecyl, cyclohexenyl,

any of which groups may be optionally substituted with 1 or moresubstituents such as halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, aryl, aryloxy,arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamido, alkanoylamino, oxo, acyl,arylcarbonylamino, amino, nitro, cyano, thiol and/or alkylthio and/orany of the substituents for alkyl.

The term “cycloalkenyl” as employed herein alone or as part of anothergroup refers to cyclic hydrocarbons containing 3 to 12 carbons,preferably 5 to 10 carbons and 1 or 2 double bonds. Exemplarycycloalkenyl groups include cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cycloheptenyl,cyclooctenyl, cyclohexadienyl, and cycloheptadienyl, which may beoptionally substituted as defined for cycloalkyl.

The term “cycloalkylene” as employed herein refers to a “cycloalkyl”group which includes free bonds and thus is a linking group such as

and the like, and may optionally be substituted as defined above for“cycloalkyl”.

The term “alkanoyl” as used herein alone or as part of another grouprefers to alkyl linked to a carbonyl group.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkenyl” or “alkenyl” asused herein by itself or as part of another group refers to straight orbranched chain radicals of 2 to 20 carbons, preferably 2 to 12 carbons,and more preferably 1 to 8 carbons in the normal chain, which includeone to six double bonds in the normal chain, such as vinyl, 2-propenyl,3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 4-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl,2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 4-heptenyl, 3-octenyl, 3-nonenyl, 4-decenyl,3-undecenyl, 4-dodecenyl, 4,8,12-tetradecatrienyl, and the like, andwhich may be optionally substituted with 1 to 4 substituents, namely,halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl,cycloalkyl, amino, hydroxy, heteroaryl, cycloheteroalkyl, alkanoylamino,alkylamido, arylcarbonyl-amino, nitro, cyano, thiol, alkylthio and/orany of the alkyl substituents set out herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkynyl” or “alkynyl” asused herein by itself or as part of another group refers to straight orbranched chain radicals of 2 to 20 carbons, preferably 2 to 12 carbonsand more preferably 2 to 8 carbons in the normal chain, which includeone triple bond in the normal chain, such as 2-propynyl, 3-butynyl,2-butynyl, 4-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 2-hexynyl, 3-hexynyl, 2-heptynyl,3-heptynyl, 4-heptynyl, 3-octynyl, 3-nonynyl, 4-decynyl, 3-undecynyl,4-dodecynyl and the like, and which may be optionally substituted with 1to 4 substituents, namely, halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl,alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, amino, heteroaryl,cycloheteroalkyl, hydroxy, alkanoylamino, alkylamido, arylcarbonylamino,nitro, cyano, thiol, and/or alkylthio, and/or any of the alkylsubstituents set out herein.

The terms “arylalkenyl” and “arylalkynyl” as used alone or as part ofanother group refer to alkenyl and alkynyl groups as described abovehaving an aryl substituent.

Where alkyl groups as defined above have single bonds for attachment toother groups at two different carbon atoms, they are termed “alkylene”groups and may optionally be substituted as defined above for “alkyl”.

Where alkenyl groups as defined above and alkynyl groups as definedabove, respectively, have single bonds for attachment at two differentcarbon atoms, they are termed “alkenylene groups” and “alkynylenegroups”, respectively, and may optionally be substituted as definedabove for “alkenyl” and “alkynyl”.

The term “halogen” or “halo” as used herein alone or as part of anothergroup refers to chlorine, bromine, fluorine, and iodine as well as CF₃,with chlorine or fluorine being preferred.

The term “metal ion” refers to alkali metal ions such as sodium,potassium or lithium and alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium andcalcium, as well as zinc and aluminum.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “aryl” as employed herein alone oras part of another group refers to monocyclic and bicyclic aromaticgroups containing 6 to 10 carbons in the ring portion (such as phenyl ornaphthyl including I-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl) and may optionally includeone to three additional rings fused to a carbocyclic ring or aheterocyclic ring (such as aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl orcycloheteroalkyl rings for example

and may be optionally substituted through available carbon atoms withone or more groups selected from hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, alkyl,haloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, alkenyl, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy, alkynyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, cycloheteroalkyl,cycloheteroalkylalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, aryloxy,aryloxyalkyl, arylalkoxy, arylthio, arylazo, heteroarylalkyl,heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylheteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, hydroxy, nitro,cyano, amino, substituted amino wherein the amino includes 1 or 2substituents (which are alkyl, aryl or any of the other aryl compoundsmentioned in the definitions), thiol, alkylthio, arylthio,heteroarylthio, arylthioalkyl, alkoxyarylthio, alkylcarbonyl,arylcarbonyl, alkyl-aminocarbonyl, arylaminocarbonyl; alkoxycarbonyl;aminocarbonyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino,arylcarbonylamino, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfinylalkyl, arylsulfonylamino orarylsulfon-aminocarbonyl and/or any of the alkyl substituents set outherein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkoxy”, “alkoxy”, “aryloxy”or “aralkoxy” as employed herein alone or as part of another groupincludes any of the above alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups linked to anoxygen atom.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “substituted amino” as employedherein alone or as part of another group refers to amino substitutedwith one or two substituents, which may be the same or different, suchas alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl,cycloheteroalkyl, cycloheteroalkylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or thioalkyl. These substituentsmay be further substituted with a carboxylic acid and/or any of the R¹groups or substituents for R¹ as set out above. In addition, the aminosubstituents may be taken together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare attached to form 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 1-azepinyl,4-morpholinyl, 4-thiamorpholinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 4-alkyl-1-piperazinyl,4-arylalkyl-1-piperazinyl, 4-diarylalkyl-1-piperazinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl,1-piperidinyl, or 1-azepinyl, optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy,alkylthio, halo, trifluoromethyl or hydroxy.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkylthio”, alkylthio”,“arylthio” or “aralkylthio” as employed herein alone or as part ofanother group includes any of the above alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groupslinked to a sulfur atom.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “lower alkylamino”, “alkylamino”,“arylamino”, or “arylalkylamino” as employed herein alone or as part ofanother group includes any of the above alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl groupslinked to a nitrogen atom.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “acyl” as employed herein by itselfor part of another group, as defined herein, refers to an organicradical linked to a carbonyl

group; examples of acyl groups include any of the R¹ groups attached toa carbonyl, such as alkanoyl, alkenoyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, heteroaroyl,cycloalkanoyl, cycloheteroalkanoyl and the like.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “cycloheteroalkyl” as used hereinalone or as part of another group refers to a 5-, 6- or 7-memberedsaturated or partially unsaturated ring which includes 1 to 2 heteroatoms such as nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur, linked through a carbonatom or a heteroatom, where possible, optionally via the linker(CH₂)_(r) (where r is 1, 2 or 3), such as:

and the like. The above groups may include 1 to 4 substituents such asalkyl, halo, oxo and/or any of the alkyl substituents set out herein. Inaddition, any of the cycloheteroalkyl rings can be fused to acycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or cycloheteroalkyl ring.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “heteroaryl” as used herein aloneor as part of another group refers to a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ringwhich includes 1, 2, 3 or 4 hetero atoms such as nitrogen, oxygen orsulfur, and such rings fused to an aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl orcycloheteroalkyl ring (e.g. benzothiophenyl, indolyl), and includespossible N-oxides. The heteroaryl group may optionally include one ormore substituents such as any of the substituents set out above foralkyl. Examples of heteroaryl groups include the following:

and the like.

The term “cycloheteroalkylalkyl” as used herein alone or as part ofanother group refers to cycloheteroalkyl groups as defined above linkedthrough a C atom or heteroatom to a (CH₂)_(r) chain.

The term “heteroarylalkyl” or “heteroarylalkenyl” as used herein aloneor as part of another group refers to a heteroaryl group as definedabove linked through a C atom or heteroatom to a —(CH₂)_(r)—chain,alkylene or alkenylene as defined above.

The term “polyhaloalkyl” as used herein refers to an “alkyl” group asdefined above which includes from 2 to 9, preferably from 2 to 5, halosubstituents, such as F or Cl, preferably F, such as CF₃CH₂, CF₃ orCF₃CF₂CH₂.

The term “polyhaloalkoxy” as used herein refers to an “alkoxy” or“alkyloxy” group as defined above which includes from 2 to 9, preferablyfrom 2 to 5, halo substituents, such as F or Cl, preferably F, such asCF₃CH₂O, CF₃O or CF₃CF₂CH₂O.

The term “thiol” or “thio” as used herein, refers to (—S) or (—S—).

The term “alkylthio” refers to an alkyl group linked to the parentmolecular moiety through a thiol group.

The term “alkylthioalkyl” refers to an alkylthio group linked to theparent molecular moiety through an alkyl group.

The term “arylalkylthioalkyl” refers to Ar-alkyl-S-alkyl-.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkoxy group, asdefined herein, appended to the parent molecular moiety through acarbonyl group, as defined herein.

The term “cyano,” as used herein, refers to a —CN group.

The term “carboxyl” denotes —C(O)O—.

The term “nitro” as used herein, refers to a —NO₂ group.

The term “sulfonyl” as used herein, refers to an SO₂ group

The term “sulfinyl” as used herein, refers to an SO group

The term “hydroxyalkyl” as used herein, refers to an “alkyl” or“cycloalkyl” group as defined above which preferably includes from 1 to3 hydroxy substituents

The term “aminocarbonyl” refer to an amino group, herein a NR⁵R⁵′ group,linked through a carbonyl group, as defined herein, to the parentmolecular moiety.

The term “prodrug esters” as employed herein includes esters andcarbonates formed by reacting one or more hydroxyls of compounds offormula I with alkyl, alkoxy, or aryl substituted acylating agentsemploying procedures known to those skilled in the art to generateacetates, pivalates, methylcarbonates, benzoates and the like.

The conditions, diseases and maladies collectively referred to as“diabetic complications” include retinopathy, neuropathy andnephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and other known complications ofdiabetes.

Any compound that can be converted in vivo to provide the bioactiveagent (i.e., the compound of formula I) is a prodrug within the scopeand spirit of the invention.

Various forms of prodrugs are well known in the art. A comprehensivedescription of prodrugs and prodrug derivatives are described in:

-   a.) The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry, Camille G. Wermuth et al.,    Ch 31, (Academic Press, 1996);-   b.) Design of Prodrugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985);    and-   c.) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, P. Krogsgaard-Larson    and H. Bundgaard, eds. Ch 5, pgs 113-191 (Harwood Academic    Publishers, 1991).    Said references are incorporated herein by reference.

An administration of a therapeutic agent of the invention includesadministration of a therapeutically effective amount of the agent of theinvention. The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used hereinrefers to an amount of a therapeutic agent to treat or prevent acondition treatable by administration of a composition of the invention.That amount is the amount sufficient to exhibit a detectable therapeuticor preventative or ameliorative effect. The effect may include, forexample, treatment or prevention of the conditions listed herein. Theprecise effective amount for a subject will depend upon the subject'ssize and health, the nature and extent of the condition being treated,recommendations of the treating physician, and the therapeutics orcombination of therapeutics selected for administration. Thus, it is notuseful to specify an exact effective amount in advance.

The term “other type of therapeutic agents” as employed herein includes,but is not limited to one or more antidiabetic agents (other than DPP-IVinhibitors of formula I), one or more anti-obesity agents, one or moreanti-hypertensive agents, one or more anti-platelet agents, one or moreanti-atherosclerotic agents and/or one or more lipid-lowering agents(including anti-atherosclerosis agents).

Utility & Combinations

A. Utilities

The compounds of the present invention possess activity as inhibitors ofthe dipeptidyl peptidase IV which is found in a variety of tissues, suchas the intestine, liver, lung and kidney of mammals. Via the inhibitionof dipeptidyl peptidase IV in vivo, the compounds of the presentinvention possess the ability to potentiate endogenous levels ofGLP-1(7-36) and attenuate formation of its antagonist GLP-1(9-36).

In particular, the compounds of the present invention provide verypotent DPP-IV inhibitory activity in vitro against the human enzyme,where Ki's were measured using natural and psuedosubstrates. Further, inrodent models of impaired glucose homeostasis, the claimed compoundsprovided more effective reduction in peak and 4 hour area under thecurve (AUC) plasma glucose after an oral glucose challenge.

Accordingly, the compounds of the present invention can be administeredto mammals, preferably humans, for the treatment of a variety ofconditions and disorders, including, but not limited to, treating ordelaying the progression or onset of diabetes (preferably Type II,impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and diabeticcomplications, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy andcataracts), hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia,elevated blood levels of free fatty acids or glycerol, hyperlipidemia,hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, wound healing, tissue ischemia,atherosclerosis and hypertension. The compounds of the present inventionmay also be utilized to increase the blood levels of high densitylipoprotein (HDL).

In addition, the conditions, diseases, and maladies collectivelyreferenced to as “Syndrome X” or Metabolic Syndrome as detailed inJohannsson J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 82, 727-34 (1997), may betreated employing the compounds of the invention.

B. Combinations

The present invention includes within its scope pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising, as an active ingredient, a therapeuticallyeffective amount of at least one of the compounds of formula I, alone orin combination with a pharmaceutical carrier or diluent. Optionally,compounds of the present invention can be used alone, in combinationwith other compounds of the invention, or in combination with one ormore other therapeutic agent(s), e.g., an antidiabetic agent or otherpharmaceutically active material.

The compounds of the present invention may employed in combination withother inhibitors of DPP-4 activity or other suitable therapeutic agentsuseful in the treatment of the aforementioned disorders including:anti-diabetic agents; anti-hyperglycemic agents; hypolipidemic/lipidlowering agents; anti-obesity agents; anti-hypertensive agents andappetite supressants.

Examples of suitable anti-diabetic agents for use in combination withthe compounds of the present invention include biguanides (e.g.,metformin or phenformin), glucosidase inhibitors (e.g, acarbose ormiglitol), insulins (including insulin secretagogues or insulinsensitizers), meglitinides (e.g., repaglinide), sulfonylureas (e.g.,glimepiride, glyburide, gliclazide, chlorpropamide and glipizide),biguanide/glyburide combinations (e.g., Glucovance®), thiazolidinediones(e.g., troglitazone, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone), PPAR-alphaagonists, PPAR-gamma agonists, PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonists, glycogenphosphorylase inhibitors, inhibitors of fatty acid binding protein(aP2), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and SGLT2 inhibitors.

It is believed that the use of the compounds of formula I in combinationwith at least one or more other antidiabetic agent(s) providesantihyperglycemic results greater than that possible from each of thesemedicaments alone and greater than the combined additiveanti-hyperglycemic effects produced by these medicaments.

Other suitable thiazolidinediones include Mitsubishi's MCC-555(disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,016), Glaxo-Welcome's GL-262570,englitazone (CP-68722, Pfizer) or darglitazone (CP-86325, Pfizer,isaglitazone (MIT/J&J), JTT-501 (JPNT/P&U), L-895645 (Merck), R-119702(Sankyo/WL), NN-2344 (Dr. Reddy/NN), or YM440 (Yamanouchi).

Suitable PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonists include AR-HO39242(Astra/Zeneca), GW409544 (Glaxo-Wellcome), KRP297 (Kyorin Merck) as wellas those disclosed by Murakami et al, “A Novel Insulin Sensitizer ActsAs a Coligand for Peroxisome Proliferation—Activated Receptor Alpha(PPAR alpha) and PPAR gamma. Effect on PPAR alpha Activation on AbnormalLipid Metabolism in Liver of Zucker Fatty Rats”, Diabetes 47, 1841-1847(1998), and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,002, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference, employing dosages as set out therein,which compounds designated as preferred are preferred for use herein.

Suitable aP2 inhibitors include those disclosed in U.S. application Ser.No. 09/391,053, filed Sep. 7, 1999, and in U.S. application Ser. No.09/519,079, filed Mar. 6, 2000, employing dosages as set out herein.

Other suitable DPP4 inhibitors that may be used in combination with thecompounds of the invention include those disclosed in WO99/38501,WO99/46272, WO99/67279 (PROBIODRUG), WO99/67278 (PROBIODRUG), WO99/61431(PROBIODRUG), U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,767, MRK-0431, Nevaglitizar (Lilly &Ligand), LAF-237 (Novartis) as disclosed in E. B Villhauer et. al., J.Med. Chem. 2003, 46, 2774-2789, and B. Ahren et. al., J. Clin. Endocrin.& Metab. 2004, 89 (5), 2078-2084. TSL-225(tryptophyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (disclosedby Yamada et al, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett. 8 (1998) 1537-1540,2-cyanopyrrolidides and 4-cyanopyrrolidides, as disclosed by Ashworth etal, Bioorg. & Med. Chem. Lett., Vol. 6, No. 22, pp 1163-1166 and2745-2748 (1996) employing dosages as set out in the above references.

Suitable meglitinides include nateglinide (Novartis) or KAD1229(PF/Kissei).

Examples of suitable anti-hyperglycemic agents for use in combinationwith the compounds of the present invention include glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-I) such as GLP-I(1-36) amide, GLP-I(7-36) amide,GLP-I(7-37) (as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,492 to Habener), aswell as Exendin-4 (AC2993—Amylin) and LY-315902 (Lilly).

Examples of suitable hypolipidemic/lipid lowering agents for use incombination with the compounds of the present invention include one ormore MTP inhibitors, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, squalene synthetaseinhibitors, fibric acid derivatives, ACAT inhibitors, lipoxygenaseinhibitors, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, ileal Na⁺/bile acidcotransporter inhibitors, upregulators of LDL receptor activity, bileacid sequestrants, cholesterol ester transfer protein inhibitors (e.g.,CP-529414 (Pfizer)) and/or nicotinic acid and derivatives thereof.

MTP inhibitors which may be employed as described above include thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,872, U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,135, U.S. Pat.No. 5,712,279, U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,246, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,875, U.S.Pat. No. 5,885,983 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,440.

The HMG CoA reductase inhibitors which may be employed in combinationwith one or more compounds of formula I include mevastatin and relatedcompounds, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,140, lovastatin(mevinolin) and related compounds, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,231,938, pravastatin and related compounds, such as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,346,227, simvastatin and related compounds, as disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,448,784 and 4,450,171. Other HMG CoA reductaseinhibitors which may be employed herein include, but are not limited to,fluvastatin, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,772, cerivastatin, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,006,530 and 5,177,080, atorvastatin, asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,681,893, 5,273,995, 5,385,929 and5,686,104, atavastatin (Nissan/Sankyo's nisvastatin (NK-104)), asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,930, visastatin (Shionogi-Astra/Zeneca(ZD4522)), as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,440, and related statincompounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,675, pyrazole analogs ofmevalonolactone derivatives, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,610,indene analogs of mevalonolactone derivatives, as disclosed in PCTapplication WO 86/03488,6-[2-(substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)-alkyl)pyran-2-ones and derivativesthereof, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,576, Searle's SC45355 (a3-substituted pentanedioic acid derivative) dichloroacetate, imidazoleanalogs of mevalonolactone, as disclosed in PCT application WO 86/07054,3-carboxy-2-hydroxy-propane-phosphonic acid derivatives, as disclosed inFrench Patent No. 2,596,393, 2,3-disubstituted pyrrole, furan andthiophene derivatives, as disclosed in European Patent Application No.0221025, naphthyl analogs of mevalonolactone, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,686,237, octahydronaphthalenes, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,499,289, keto analogs of mevinolin (lovastatin), as disclosed inEuropean Patent Application No.0142146 A2, and quinoline and pyridinederivatives, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,506,219 and 5,691,322.

Preferred hypolipidemic agents are pravastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin,atorvastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, atavastatin and ZD4522.

In addition, phosphinic acid compounds useful in inhibiting HMG CoAreductase, such as those disclosed in GB 2205837, are suitable for usein combination with the compounds of the present invention.

The squalene synthetase inhibitors suitable for use herein include, butare not limited to, α-phosphono-sulfonates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,712,396, those disclosed by Biller et al, J. Med. Chem., 1988, Vol.31, No. 10, pp 1869-1871, including isoprenoid(phosphinyl-methyl)phosphonates, as well as other known squalenesynthetase inhibitors, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,871,721 and 4,924,024 and in Biller, S. A., Neuenschwander, K.,Ponpipom, M. M., and Poulter, C. D., Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2,140 (1996).

In addition, other squalene synthetase inhibitors suitable for useherein include the terpenoid pyrophosphates disclosed by P. Ortiz deMontellano et al, J. Med. Chem., 1977, 20, 243-249, the farnesyldiphosphate analog A and presqualene pyrophosphate (PSQ-PP) analogs asdisclosed by Corey and Volante, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1976, 98, 1291-1293,phosphinylphosphonates reported by McClard, R. W. et al, J.A.C.S., 1987,109, 5544 and cyclopropanes reported by Capson, T. L., PhD dissertation,June, 1987, Dept. Med. Chem. U of Utah, Abstract, Table of Contents, pp16, 17, 4043, 48-51,

SUMMARY

The fibric acid derivatives which may be employed in combination withone or more compounds of formula I include fenofibrate, gemfibrozil,clofibrate, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, clinofibrate and the like,probucol, and related compounds, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,674,836, probucol and gemfibrozil being preferred, bile acidsequestrants, such as cholestyramine, colestipol and DEAE-Sephadex(Secholex®, Policexide®), as well as lipostabil (Rhone-Poulenc), EisaiE-5050 (an N-substituted ethanolamine derivative), imanixil (HOE402),tetrahydrolipstatin (THL), istigmastanylphosphorylcholine (SPC, Roche),aminocyclodextrin (Tanabe Seiyoku), Ajinomoto AJ-814 (azulenederivative), melinamide (Sumitomo), Sandoz 58-035, American CyanamidCL-277,082 and CL-283,546 (disubstituted urea derivatives), nicotinicacid, acipimox, acifran, neomycin, p-aminosalicylic acid, aspirin,poly(diallylmethylamine) derivatives, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,759,923, quaternary amine poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) andionenes, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,009, and other knownserum cholesterol lowering agents.

The ACAT inhibitor which may be employed in combination with one or morecompounds of formula I include those disclosed in Drugs of the Future24, 9-15 (1999), (Avasimibe); “The ACAT inhibitor, CI-1011 is effectivein the prevention and regression of aortic fatty streak area inhamsters”, Nicolosi et al, Atherosclerosis (Shannon, Irel). (1998),137(1), 77-85; “The pharmacological profile of FCE 27677: a novel ACATinhibitor with potent hypolipidemic activity mediated by selectivesuppression of the hepatic secretion of ApoB100-containing lipoprotein”,Ghiselli, Giancarlo, Cardiovasc. Drug Rev. (1998), 16(1), 16-30; “RP73163: a bioavailable alkylsulfinyl-diphenylimidazole ACAT inhibitor”,Smith, C., et al, Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (1996), 6(1), 47-50; “ACATinhibitors: physiologic mechanisms for hypolipidemic andanti-atherosclerotic activities in experimental animals”, Krause et al,Editor(s): Ruffolo, Robert R., Jr.; Hollinger, Mannfred A.,Inflammation: Mediators Pathways (1995), 173-98, Publisher: CRC, BocaRaton, Fla.; “ACAT inhibitors: potential anti-atherosclerotic agents”,Sliskovic et al, Curr. Med. Chem. (1994), 1(3), 204-25; uInhibitors ofacyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyl transferase (ACAT) as hypocholesterolemicagents. 6. The first water-soluble ACAT inhibitor with lipid-regulatingactivity. Inhibitors of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). 7.Development of a series of substitutedN-phenyl-N′-[(1-phenylcyclopentyl)methyl]ureas with enhancedhypocholesterolemic activity”, Stout et al, Chemtracts: Org. Chem.(1995), 8(6), 359-62, or TS-962 (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd).

The hypolipidemic agent may be an upregulator of LD2 receptor activity,such as MD-700 (Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd) and LY295427 (Eli Lilly).

Examples of suitable cholesterol absorption inhibitor for use incombination with the compounds of the invention include SCH48461(Schering-Plough), as well as those disclosed in Atherosclerosis 115,45-63 (1995) and J. Med. Chem. 41, 973 (1998).

Examples of suitable ileal Na⁺/bile acid cotransporter inhibitors foruse in combination with the compounds of the invention include compoundsas disclosed in Drugs of the Future, 24, 425-430 (1999).

The lipoxygenase inhibitors which may be employed in combination withone or more compounds of formula I include 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)inhibitors, such as benzimidazole derivatives, as disclosed in WO97/12615, 15-LO inhibitors, as disclosed in WO 97/12613, isothiazolones,as disclosed in WO 96/38144, and 15-LO inhibitors, as disclosed bySendobry et al “Attenuation of diet-induced atherosclerosis in rabbitswith a highly selective 15-lipoxygenase inhibitor lacking significantantioxidant properties”, Brit. J. Pharmacology (1997) 120, 1199-1206,and Cornicelli et al, “15-Lipoxygenase and its Inhibition: A NovelTherapeutic Target for Vascular Disease”, Current Pharmaceutical Design,1999, 5, 11-20.

Examples of suitable anti-hypertensive agents for use in combinationwith the compounds of the present invention include beta adrenergicblockers, calcium channel blockers (L-type and T-type; e.g. diltiazem,verapamil, nifedipine, amlodipine and mybefradil), diuretics (e.g.,chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, flumethiazide, hydroflumethiazide,bendroflumethiazide, methylchlorothiazide, trichloromethiazide,polythiazide, benzthiazide, ethacrynic acid tricrynafen, chlorthalidone,furosemide, musolimine, bumetanide, triamtrenene, amiloride,spironolactone), renin inhibitors, ACE inhibitors (e.g., captopril,zofenopril, fosinopril, enalapril, ceranopril, cilazopril, delapril,pentopril, quinapril, ramipril, lisinopril), AT-1 receptor antagonists(e.g., losartan, irbesartan, valsartan), ET receptor antagonists (e.g.,sitaxsentan, atrsentan and compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,612,359 and 6,043,265), Dual ET/AII antagonist (e.g., compoundsdisclosed in WO 00/01389), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors,vasopepsidase inhibitors (dual NEP-ACE inhibitors) (e.g., omapatrilatand gemopatrilat), and nitrates.

Examples of suitable anti-obesity agents for use in combination with thecompounds of the present invention include a beta 3 adrenergic agonist,a lipase inhibitor, a serotonin (and dopamine) reuptake inhibitor, athyroid receptor beta drug and/or an anorectic agent.

The beta 3 adrenergic agonists which may be optionally employed incombination with compounds of the present invention include AJ9677(Takeda/Dainippon), L750355 (Merck), or CP331648 (Pfizer) or other knownbeta 3 agonists, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,541,204, 5,770,615,5,491,134, 5,7.76,983 and 5,488,064, with AJ9677, L750,355 and CP331648being preferred.

Examples of lipase inhibitors which may be optionally employed incombination with compounds of the present invention include orlistat orATL-962 (Alizyme), with orlistat being preferred.

The serotonin (and dopoamine) reuptake inhibitor which may be optionallyemployed in combination with a compound of formula I may be sibutramine,topiramate (Johnson & Johnson) or axokine (Regeneron), with sibutramineand topiramate being preferred.

Examples of thyroid receptor beta compounds which may be optionallyemployed in combination with compounds of the present invention includethyroid receptor ligands, such as those disclosed in WO97/21993 (U. CalSF), WO99/00353 (KaroBio) and GB98/284425 (KaroBio), with compounds ofthe KaroBio applications being preferred.

The anorectic agent which may be optionally employed in combination withcompounds of the present invention include dexamphetamine, phentermine,phenylpropanolamine or mazindol, with dexamphetamine being preferred.

The aforementioned patents and patent applications are incorporatedherein by reference.

The above other therapeutic agents, when employed in combination withthe compounds of the present invention may be used, for example, inthose amounts indicated in the Physician's Desk Reference, as in thepatents set out above or as otherwise determined by one of ordinaryskill in the art.

Where the compounds of the invention are utilized in combination withone or more other therapeutic agent(s), either concurrently orsequentially, the following combination ratios and dosage ranges arepreferred. Where the other antidiabetic agent is a biguanide, thecompounds of formula I will be employed in a weight ratio to biguanidewithin the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferably from about0.1:1 to about 5:1.

The compounds of formula I will be employed in a weight ratio to theglucosidase inhibitor within the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1,preferably from about 0.5:1 to about 50:1.

The compounds of formula I will be employed in a weight ratio to thesulfonyl urea in the range from about 0.01:1 to about 100:1, preferablyfrom about 0.2:1 to about 10:1.

The compounds of formula I will be employed in a weight ratio to thethiazolidinedione in an amount within the range from about 0.01:1 toabout 100:1, preferably from about 0.2:1 to about 10:1.

Where present, the thiazolidinedione anti-diabetic agent may be employedin amounts within the range from about 0.01 to about 2000 mg/day whichmay be administered in single or divided doses one to four times perday.

Optionally, the sulfonyl urea and thiazolidinedione may be incorporatedin a single tablet with the compounds of formula I in amounts of lessthan about 150 mg.

Where present, metformin or salt thereof may be employed in amountswithin the range from about 500 to about 2000 mg per day which may beadministered in single or divided doses one to four times daily.

Where present GLP-I peptides may be administered in oral buccalformulations, by nasal administration or parenterally as described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,346,701 (TheraTech), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,614,492 and5,631,224 which are incorporated herein by reference.

The DPP-IV inhibitor of formula I will be employed in a weight ratio tothe meglitinide, PPAR-gamma agonist, PPAR-alpha/gamma dual agonist, aP2inhibitor or SGLT2 inhibitor within the range from about 0.01:1 to about100:1, preferably from about 0.2:1 to about 10:1.

The compounds of formula I of the invention will be generally beemployed in a weight ratio to the hypolipidemic agent (were present),within the range from about 500:1 to about 1:500, preferably from about100:1 to about 1:100.

For oral administration, a satisfactory result may be obtained employingthe MTP inhibitor in an amount within the range of from about 0.01 mg/kgto about 500 mg and preferably from about 0.1 mg to about 100 mg, one tofour times daily.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules, will containthe MTP inhibitor in an amount of from about 1 to about 500 mg,preferably from about 2 to about 400 mg, and more preferably from about5 to about 250 mg, one to four times daily.

For oral administration, a satisfactory result may be obtained employingan HMG CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount within the range of fromabout 1 to 2000 mg, and preferably from about 4 to about 200 mg.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules, will containthe HMG CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount from about 0.1 to about 100mg, preferably from about 5 to about 80 mg, and more preferably fromabout 10 to about 40 mg.

The squalene synthetase inhibitor may be employed in dosages in anamount within the range of from about 10 mg to about 2000 mg andpreferably from about 25 mg to about 200 mg.

A preferred oral dosage form, such as tablets or capsules will containthe squalene synthetase inhibitor in an amount of from about 10 to about500 mg, preferably from about 25 to about 200 mg.

The compounds of the formula I can be administered for any of the usesdescribed herein by any suitable means, for example, orally, such as inthe form of tablets, capsules, granules or powders; sublingually;bucally; parenterally, such as by subcutaneous, intravenous,intramuscular, or intrasternal injection or infusion techniques (e.g.,as sterile injectable aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions);nasally, including administration to the nasal membranes, such as byinhalation spray; topically, such as in the form of a cream or ointment;or rectally such as in the form of suppositories; in dosage unitformulations containing non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable vehiclesor diluents.

In carrying out a preferred method of the invention for treating any ofthe diseases disclosed herein, such as diabetes and related diseases, apharmaceutical composition will be employed containing one or more ofthe compounds of formula I, with or without other antidiabetic agent(s)and/or antihyperlipidemic agent(s) and/or other type therapeutic agentsin association with a pharmaceutical vehicle or diluent. Thepharmaceutical composition can be formulated employing conventionalsolid or liquid vehicles or diluents and pharmaceutical additives of atype appropriate to the mode of desired administration, such aspharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, binders and the like.The compounds can be administered to mammalian species including humans,monkeys, dogs, etc. by an oral route, for example, in the form oftablets, capsules, beads, granules or powders, or they can beadministered by a parenteral route in the form of injectablepreparations, or they can be administered intranasally or in transdermalpatches. Typical solid formulations will contain from about 10 to about500 mg of a compound of formula I. The dose for adults is preferablybetween 10 and 2,000 mg per day, which can be administered in a singledose or in the form of individual doses from 1-4 times per day.

A typical injectable preparation may be produced by aseptically placing250 mg of compounds of formula I into a vial, aseptically freeze-dryingand sealing. For use, the contents of the vial are mixed with 2 mL ofphysiological saline, to produce an injectable preparation.

A typical capsule for oral administration contains compounds ofstructure I (250 mg), lactose (75 mg) and magnesium stearate (15 mg).The mixture is passed through a 60 mesh sieve and packed into a No. 1gelatin capsule.

It will be understood that the specific dose level and frequency ofdosage for any particular subject can be varied and will depend upon avariety of factors including the activity of the specific compoundemployed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound,the species, age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of thesubject, the mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drugcombination, and severity of the particular condition.

DPP-4 inhibitor activity of the compounds of the invention may bedetermined by use of an in vitro assay system which measures thepotentiation of inhibition of DPP-4. Inhibition constants (Ki values)for the DPP-4 inhibitors of the invention may be determined by themethod described the experimental section.

Purification of Porcine Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV

Porcine enzyme was purified as previously described in reference (2)below, with several modifications. Kidneys from 15-20 animals wereobtained, and the cortex was dissected away and frozen at −80° C. Frozentissue (2000-2500 g) was homogenized in 12 L of 0.25 M sucrose in aWaring blender. The homogenate then was left at 37° C. for 18 hours tofacilitate cleavage of DPP-4 from cell membranes. After the cleavagestep, the homogenate was clarified by centrifugation at 7000×g for 20min at 4° C., and the supernatant was collected. Solid ammonium sulfatewas added to 60% saturation, and the precipitate was collected bycentrifugation at 10,000×g and was discarded. Additional ammoniumsulfate was added to the supernatant to 80% saturation, and the 80%pellet was collected and dissolved in 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, pH 7.4.

After dialysis against 20 mM Na₂HPO₄, pH 7.4, the preparation wasclarified by centrifugation at 10,000×g. The clarified preparation thenwas applied to 300 mL of ConA Sepharose that had been equilibrated inthe same buffer. After washing with buffer to a constant A₂₈₀, thecolumn was eluted with 5% (w/v) methyl α-D-mannopyranoside. Activefractions were pooled, concentrated, and dialyzed against 5 mM sodiumacetate, pH 5.0. Dialyzed material then was flowed through a 100 mLPharmacia Resource S column equilibrated in the same buffer. The flowthrough material was collected and contained most of the enzymeactivity. Active material again was concentrated and dialyzed into 20 mMNa₂HPO₄, pH 7.4. Lastly, the concentrated enzyme was chromatographed ona Pharmacia S-200 gel filtration column to removed low molecular weightcontaminants. Purity of column fractions was analyzed by reducingSDS-PAGE, and the purest fractions were pooled and concentrated.Purified enzyme was stored in 20% glycerol at −80° C.

Assay of Porcine Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV

Enzyme was assayed under steady-state conditions as previously describedin reference (2) below with gly-pro-p-nitroanilide as substrate, withthe following modifications. Reactions contained, in a final volume of100 μl, 100 mM Aces, 52 mM TRIS, 52 mM ethanolamine, 500 μMgly-pro-p-nitroanilide, 0.2% DMSO, and 4.5 nM enzyme at 25° C., pH 7.4.For single assays at 10 μM test compound, buffer, compound, and enzymewere added to wells of a 96 well microtiter plate, and were incubated atrt for 5 min. Reactions were started by addition of substrate. Thecontinuous production of p-nitroaniline was measured at 405 nM for 15min using a Molecular Devices Tmax plate reader, with a read every 9seconds. The linear rate of p-nitroaniline production was obtained overthe linear portion of each progress curve. A standard curve forp-nitroaniline absorbance was obtained at the beginning of eachexperiment, and enzyme catalyzed p-nitroaniline production wasquantitated from the standard curve. Compounds giving greater than 50%inhibition were selected for further analysis.

For analysis of positive compounds, steady-state kinetic inhibitionconstants were determined as a function of both substrate and inhibitorconcentration. Substrate saturation curves were obtained atgly-pro-p-nitroanilide concentrations from 60 μM to 3600 μM. Additionalsaturation curves also were obtained in the presence of inhibitor.Complete inhibition experiments contained 11 substrate and 7 inhibitorconcentrations, with triplicate determinations across plates. For tightbinding inhibitors with K_(i)s less than 20 nM, the enzyme concentrationwas reduced to 0.5 nM and reaction times were increased to 120 min.Pooled datasets from the three plates were fitted to the appropriateequation for either competitive, noncompetitive or uncompetitiveinhibition.

-   (1) Rahfeld, J. Schutkowski, M., Faust, J., Neubert., Barth, A., and    Heins, J. (1991) Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Seyler, 372, 313-318.-   (2) Nagatsu, T., Hino, M., Fuyamada, H., Hayakawa, T., Sakakibara,    S., Nakagawa, Y., and Takemoto, T. (1976) Anal. Biochem., 74,    466-476.

The following abbreviations are employed in the Examples and elsewhereherein:

-   Ph=phenyl-   Bn=benzyl-   i-Bu=iso-butyl-   Me=methyl-   Et=ethyl-   Pr=propyl-   Bu=butyl-   TMS=trimethylsilyl-   FMOC=fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-   Boc or BOC=tert-butoxycarbonyl-   HOAc or AcOH=acetic acid-   DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide-   DMSO=dimethylsulfoxide-   EtOAc=ethyl acetate-   THF=tetrahydrofuran-   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid-   Et₂NH=diethylamine-   NMM=N-methyl morpholine spectrometry-   n-BuLi=n-butyllithium-   Pd/C=palladium on carbon resonance-   PtO₂=platinum oxide-   TEA=triethylamine-   equiv=equivalent(s)-   min=minute(s)-   h or hr=hour(s)-   L=liter-   mL=milliliter-   μL=microliter-   g=gram(s)-   mg=milligram(s)-   mol=mole(s)-   mmol=millimole(s)-   meq=milliequivalent-   rt=room temperature-   sat or sat'd=saturated-   aq.=aqueous-   TLC=thin layer chromatography-   MS or Mass Spec=mass-   NMR=nuclear magnetic-   mp=melting point-   Cbz=carbobenzyloxy or carbobenzoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl-   HPLC=high performance liquid chromatography-   LC/MS=high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-   EDAC=3-ethyl-3′-(dimethylamino)propyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (or    1-[(3-(dimethyl)amino)propyl])-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride)-   HOBT or HOBT.H₂O=1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate-   HOAT=1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole-   PyBOP reagent=benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tripyrrolidino phosphonium    hexafluorophosphate

The following examples are provided to describe the invention in furtherdetail. These examples, which set forth the best mode presentlycontemplated for carrying out the invention, are intended to illustrateand not to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Example 1; Step 1

Adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (10.0 g, 55 mmol, 1 equiv) was dissolved ina mixture of Et₂O (160 mL) and MeOH (40 mL), and was treated withtrimethylsilyl diazomethane (2.0 M in hexane, 30 mL, 60 mmol, 1.1 equiv)and stirred at rt for 3 h. The volatiles were then removed by rotaryevaporation and the product purified by flash column chromatography onsilica gel (5×15 cm) with 40% CH₂Cl₂/hexanes to give the product as awhite crystalline solid (10.7 g, 100%).Example 1; Step 2

Step 1 compound (10.7 g, 0.055 mmol, 1 equiv) was dissolved in anhydrousTHF (150 mL) under argon and was treated with a solution of LiAlH₄ (1 Min THF, 69 mL, 69 mmol, 1.25 equiv). After stirring at rt for 1.5 h, thereaction was cooled to 0° C. and quenched sequentially with H₂O (5.1mL), 15% aq NaOH (5.1 mL), and H₂O (10.2 mL). After stirring at rt for15 min, the slurry was vacuum filtered, and the solids washed with EtOAc(2×100 mL). The filtrate was concentrated by rotary evaporation and theresulting solid purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel(5×15 cm) with 10% EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂. This afforded the Step 2 product as awhite solid (8.74 g, 96%).Example 1; Step 3

An oven-dried 3-neck flask equipped with 125-mL addition funnel wascharged with anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (150 mL) and anhydrous DMSO (10.3 mL,0.145 mol, 2.5 equiv) under argon atmosphere and cooled to −78° C. Slowdropwise addition of oxalyl chloride (6.7 mL, 0.0768 mol, 1.32 equiv)followed by stirring for 15 min provided an activated DMSO adduct. Thiswas treated with a solution of Step 2 compound (9.67 g, 58.2 mmol, 1equiv) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (75 mL) and the reaction allowed to stir for 1 h.The resulting white mixture was then treated dropwise mixture wasdiluted with Et₂O (400 mL) and the layers were separated. The organicswere washed organic with cold 10% aq KH₂PO₄ (3×150 mL) and satd aq NaCl(100 mL). The organics were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated.The residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel(5×10 cm) with CH₂Cl₂ to give the Step 3 compound as a white solid (9.40g, 98%).Example 1; Step 4

Step 3 compound (9.40 g, 57 mmol, 1 equiv) was suspended in H₂O (145 mL)and cooled to 0° C. The mixture was treated with NaHSO₃ (5.95 g, 57mmol, 1 equiv), KCN (4.0 g, 59 mmol, 1.04 equiv), and a solution of(R)-(-)-phenylglycinol (8.01 g, 57 mmol, 1 equiv) in MeOH (55 mL). Theresulting mixture was stirred at rt for 2 h, then refluxed for 16 h. Themixture was cooled to rt, and 200 mL of EtOAc added. After mixing for 15min the layers were separated. The aqueous fraction was extracted withEtOAc. The combined EtOAc extracts were washed with brine (50 mL), driedover anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and the filtrate concentrated. Theproduct was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel(6.4×20 cm) with 20% EtOAc/hexanes to give the desired (R,S) product asa white solid (11.6 g, 37.4 mmol, 65%): MS m/e 311 (M+H)⁺.Example 1; Step 5

The Step 4 nitrile (5.65 g, 18 mmol) was heated in conc. HCl (120 mL)and HOAc (30 mL) at 80° C. for 18 h, at which time the reaction wascooled in an ice bath. Vacuum filtration of the resulting precipitateafforded the desired product as a white solid (5.21 g, 14 mmol, 78%). MSm/e 330 (m+H)⁺.Example 1; Step 6

The Step 6 compound (5.21 g, 14 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (50 mL) andHOAc (10 mL), and hydrogenated with H₂ (50 psi) and Pearlman's catalyst(20% Pd(OH)₂, 1.04 g, 20% w/w) for 18 h. The reaction was filteredthrough a PTFE membrane filter and the catalyst washed with MeOH (3×25mL). The filtrate was concentrated by rotary evaporation to afford awhite solid. The product was used in Step 7 without furtherpurification.Example 1; Step 7

The crude Step 6 compound (@ 14 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (50mL) under argon and treated with K₂CO₃ (5.90 g, 42 mmol, 3 equiv) anddi-tert-butyldicarbonate (3.14 g, 14 mmol, 1 equiv) under argon at rt.After 19 h, the DMF was removed by rotary evaporation (pump) and theresidue dried further under reduced pressure. The residue was mixed withH₂O (100 mL) and Et₂O (100 mL), the layers separated, and the alkalineaqueous with Et₂O (2×100 mL) to remove the by-product from thehydrogenolysis step. The aqueous was cooled to 0° C., diluted with EtOAc(200 mL), and stirred vigorously while carefully acidifying the aqueousto pH 3 with 1N aq HCl. The layers separated and the aqueous extractedwith EtOAc (100 mL). The combined EtOAc extracts were washed with brine(50 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and the filtrate concentrated byrotary evaporation. The residue was purified by SiO₂ flash column (5×12cm) with 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂+0.5% HOAc. The product was chased with hexanesto afford the product as a white foam (4.07 g, 13 mmol, 92%): MS m/e 310(m+H)⁺.Example 1; Step 8

A solution of KMnO₄ (337 mg, 2.13 mmol, 1.1 equiv) in 2% aq KOH (6 mL)was heated to 60° C. and Step 7 compound in general method G (600 mg,1.94 mmol, 1 equiv) was added in portions, and heating increased to 90°C. After 1.5 h, the reaction was cooled to 0° C., EtOAc (50 mL) wasadded, and the mixture was carefully acidified to pH 3 with 1N HCl. Thelayers were separated and the aqueous was extracted with EtOAc (50 mL).The combined organic extracts were washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash columnchromatography on silica gel (3.8×15 cm) with 2% (200 mL), 3% (200 mL),4% (200 mL), and 5% (500 mL) MeOH/CH₂Cl₂+0.5% HOAc. After isolation ofthe product, the material was chased with hexanes to afford a whitesolid (324 mg, 51%): MS m/e 326 (m+H)⁺.Example 1 Step 9.(S)-[1-(3-Hydroxyadamantan-1-yl)-2-oxo-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl]-carbamicAcid Tert-Butyl Ester

A solution of (S)-N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxyadamantylglycine (31.8mg, 0.16 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and HOBT.H₂O (25 mg, 0.16 mmol, 1.0 equiv) inanhydrous CH₂Cl₂ was cooled to 0° C. and stirred for 30 min. Thereaction mixture was treated sequentially with pyrrolidine (11.4 mg,0.16 mmol, 1.0 equiv), EDAC (31 mg, 0.16 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and TEA (60μL, 0.48 mmol, 3.0 equiv) and stirring continued at 0° C. for 30 minthen at rt for 2 days. The mixture was partitioned between H₂O (1.5 mL)and EtOAc (2×20 mL) and the combined organic extracts were washed withbrine (1.5 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated. The productwas purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (2.2×8 cm)with an EtOAc/hexane gradient (0%-100%) to give Step 1 compound as awhite foam (51.7 mg, 85.2%): MS m/e 380 (m+H)⁺.Example 1 Step 10.(S)-[1-(3-Hydroxyadamantan-1-yl)-2-oxo-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl]amine,Trifluoroacetic Acid Salt.

The Step 9 compound (48.2 mg, 0.13 mmol) was dissolved in TFA/CH₂Cl₂(1:1, v/v, 0.44 mL) and stirred at rt. After 1.0 h, the solvents wereremoved by rotary evaporation, the remainder chased with toluene (2×4mL) and Et₂O (2×20 mL). Trituration of the product with Et₂O followed bypreparative HPLC afforded the title compound as a white solid (34.9 mg,68.4%): MS m/e 279 (m+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 2, Step 1.(S)-[1-(3-Hydroxyadamantan-1-yl)-2-oxo-2-thiazolidin-3-ylethyl]-carbamicAcid Tert-Butyl Ester

A solution of Example 1; step 8 compound,(S)-N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-hydroxyadamantyl glycine (70 mg, 0.215 mmol,1.0 equiv) in dry DMF (2.1 mL) was cooled to 0° C. then treatedsequentially with thiazolidine (20 μL, 0.237 mmol, 1.1 equiv), EDAC(88.2 mg, 0.46 mmol, 2.1 equiv), HOBT.H₂O (90.4 mg, 0.67 mmol, 3.1equiv) and TEA (63 μL, 0.45 mmol, 2.1 equiv). Stirring was continued for22 h, allowing the bath to come up to rt. The solvent was removed byrotary evaporation and the syrup obtained partitioned between EtOAc(2×70 mL) and saturated NaHCO₃ (14 mL). The combined organic extractswere washed with brine (10 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated by rotary evaporation. The product was purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (2.5×14 cm) with CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (500 mL of95:5) to afford the product as a solid white foam (81.6 mg, 95.7%): MSm/e 397 (m+H)⁺.Example 2, Step 2.(S)-[1-(3-Hydroxyadamantan-1-yl)-2-oxo-2-thiazolidin-3-ylethyl]amine,trifluoroacetic acid salt.

The Step 1 compound (72.0 mg, 0.18 mmol) was dissolved in TFA/CH₂Cl₂(1:1, v/v, 1.4 mL) and stirred at rt. After 1 h, the solvents wereremoved by rotary evaporation and the remainder chased with toluene (2×8mL) and Et₂O (2×20 mL). Preparative HPLC afforded the title compound asa white solid (56.2 mg, 76%): MS m/e 297 (m+H)⁺.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 3, Step 1. N-Cbz-2-methoxypyrrolidine. To a solution of(S)-(−)-N-benzyloxycarbonylproline (10 g, 40 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (500 mL)was added iodobenzene diacetate (26 g, 80 mmol, 2.0 equiv) and iodine(5.2 g, 20 mmol, 0.50 equiv). The resulting mixture was stirred at rtfor 5 h. Methanol (20 mL) was added and the reaction mixture was stirredat rt for 1.5 h. The reaction was then quenched by the addition of 10%Na₂S₂O₃ (200 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×100 mL). The combinedorganic extracts were washed with 10% Na₂S₂O₃ (200 mL), brine (200 mL),dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the crudeproduct (28 g) as a yellow oil. Purification by flash chromatography(silica gel, 10-30% EtOAc/hexane) provided the expected product (9.41 g,77%) as a yellow oil along with the corresponding hydroxy product (8.85g, 11%) as a white solid: mp 44-46° C. The hydroxy product couldsubsequently be quantitatively recycled to the desired methoxy compoundby treatment with pyridinium p-toluene sulfonate (PPTS) in MeOH at rtfor 20 h. Data for step 1 compound: HPLC (Phenominex 4.6×50 mm)retention time 2.94 min; LC/MS m/z 236 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.27-7.39 (m, 5H), 5.15-5.29 (m, 3H), 3.52 (td, 1H, J=8.8, 1.3 Hz),3.32-3.48 (m, 3H), 3.26 (s, 1H), 1.99-2.15 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.98 (m, 2H),1.67-1.82 (m, 1H). Data for compound 3: LC/MS m/z 222 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.30-7.40 (m, 5H), 5.47-5.55 (m, 1H), 5.15 (s, 2H),3.55-3.65 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.42 (m, 1H), 1.78-2.02 (m, 4H).

Example 3, Step 2. N-Cbz-2-pyrrolidine. A solution of methoxy Step 1compound (2.48 g, 10.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) was cooled to 0° C. andtreated with N,N-diisopropylethylamine (2.50 mL, 14.3 mmol, 1.36 equiv)followed by TMSOTf (2.50 mL, 13.8 mmol, 1.31 equiv). The reactionmixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 min, then diluted with pentane (60mL), stirred for 5 min and filtered. The filter cake was washed withpentane (2×60 mL) and Et₂O (2×60 mL). The filtrate was then concentratedunder reduced pressure to give a dark gold oil (2.73 g) which waspurified by flash chromatography (silica gel, 1:2 Et₂O:hexane) toprovide the desired product (1.73 g, 81%) as a colorless liquid. HPLC(Phenominex ODS 4.6×50 mm) retention time 3.14 min (99.5%); LC/MS m/z204 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.27-7.38 (m, 5H), 6.57 (d, 1H,J=24.1 Hz), 5.17 (s, 2H), 5.05 (d, 1H, J=21.5 Hz), 3.78 (ABq, 2H,J=10.7, 9.4 Hz), 2.60-2.68 (m, 2H).

Example 3, Step 3. N-Cbz-2,3-methanopyrrolidine. To a solution of Step 2olefin (4.99 g, 24.5 mmol) in Et₂O (164 mL) at 0° C. was slowly addeddiethylzinc (116 mL of a 1.0 M solution in hexane, 116 mmol, 4.75equiv), followed by ICH₂Cl (17.1 mL, 235 mmol, 9.58 equiv). Theresulting reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 6 h, kept at −40° C.overnight and then stirred at rt for 4 h. The reaction was then quenchedby the addition of 25% NH₄Cl (65 mL) and extracted with Et₂O (3×300 mL).The combined organic extracts were washed with 25% NH₄Cl (65 mL), brine(65 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated under reducedpressure to give the crude product (15 g) as a yellow oil. Purificationof the crude product by flash chromatography (silica gel, CH₂Cl₂)generated the cyclopropyl product (4.17 g, 78%) as a colorless liquid:LC/MS m/z 218 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.26-7.37 (m, 5H), 5.30(s, 2H), 3.73 (t, 1H, J=8.8 Hz), 3.45-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.03-3.10 (m, 1H),2.05-2.15 (m, 1H), 191.-1.97 (ddd, 1H, J=12.8, 8.4, 2.6 Hz), 1.51-1.59(dt, 1H, J=14.1, 5.7 Hz), 0.68-0.76 (m, 1H), 0.53-0.58 (m, 1H).

Example 3, Step 4. 2,3-Methanopyrrolidine HCl salt. A mixture of theStep 3 compound (160 mg, 0.74 mmol), 1 N HCl (0.8 mL, 0.8 mmol, 1.08equiv) and 10% Pd/C (32 mmol, 43 equiv) in 95% EtOH (13 mL) was stirredat rt under hydrogen atmosphere for 19 h. Another 20 mg of 10% Pd/C wasadded and the mixture was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere foradditional 6 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOH (10 mL) andfiltered on a celite pad. The filtrates were concentrated under reducedpressure to give the HCl salt of expected product (95 mg, 79%) as awhite solid: ¹H NMR (D₂O, 400 MHz) δ 3.30 (dt, 1H, J=12.8, 5.1 Hz), 3.15(ddd, 1H, J=6.0, 5.8, 2.9 Hz), 2.76 (q, 1H, J=9.9 Hz), 1.97-2.06 (m,2H), 1.67-1.75 (m, 1H), 0.68-0.76 (m, 2H).

Alternatively, the 2S,3R-stereoisomer of 2,3-methanopyrrolidine can beobtained in optically pure form by a formal deamidation of thecorresponding amide intermediate, as follows:

Example 3, Step 1a. N-Benzyl-(L)-cis-4,5-methanoprolineamide. To asolution of (L)-cis-4,5-methanoprolinamide (17.8 g, 0.11 mol) andN,N-diisopropylethylamine (57.4 mL, 0.33 mol, 3.00 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (250mL) was slowly added benzyl bromide (14.4 mL, 0.12 mol, 1.10 equiv) atrt, and the mixture was then stirred at rt for 4 days. The solvent wasevaporated and the residue was purified by flash chromatography (silicagel, 040% EtOAc/hexane) to generate the desired product (21.4 g, 90%) asa white solid: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.24-7.36 (m, 5H), 5.23 (br,exch), 3.84 (d, 1H, J=13.1 Hz), 3.66 (d, 1H, J=13.1 Hz), 3.50 (dd, 1H,J=10.1, 2.2 Hz), 2.63 (ddd, 1H, J=7.5, 5.3, 2.6 Hz), 2.26 (dd, 1H,J=12.7, 2.4 Hz), 2.12-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.47 (td, 1H, J=9.2, 4.8 Hz), 0.48(ddd, 1H, J=8.4, 8.1, 7.0 Hz), 0.24 (ddd, 1H, J=7.0, 4.0, 3.1 Hz).

Example 3, Step 2a. N-Benzyl-(L)-cis-4,5-methanoprolinenitrile. To asolution of the Step 1a compound (17 g, 79 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) at0° C. was added NEt₃ (22 mL, 160 mmol, 2.0 equiv), followed by theaddition of TFAA (22 mL, 160 mmol, 2.0 equiv) over 15 min. Another 15 mLof NEt₃ was added and the resulting mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2h. The reaction was then quenched by the addition of 10% Na₂CO₃ (70 mL)and water (150 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueouslayer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×150 mL). The combined organic layerswere washed with brine (200 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure to give a brown oil. The crudeproduct was placed on a silica gel column (silica gel, 800 g) and elutedwith hexane (1.5 L), 1:1 CH₂Cl₂/hexane (1.2 L), CH₂Cl₂ (1 L), 40%EtOAc/hexane (2 L) and EtOAc (1 L) to afford the nitrile (35.5 g, 67%)as a dark burgundy-colored oil: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 400 MHz) δ 7.35 (d, 2H,J=7.2 Hz), 7.28 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.22 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 3.91-3.97 (m,2H), 3.81 (d, 1H, J=12.7 Hz), 2.74 (td, 1H, J=6.1, 2.8 Hz), 2.37 (ddd,1H, J=13.8, 9.4, 4.9 Hz), 2.17 (d, 1H, J=13.1 Hz), 1.45-1.52 (m, 1H),1.09 (ddd, 1H, J=6.6, 4.4, 2.7 Hz), 0.32 (dd, 1H, J=14.8, 6.6 Hz).

Example 3, Step 3a. N-Benzyl-(2S,3R)-2,3-methanopyrrolidine. To asolution of the Step 2a nitrile (11.2 g, 56 mmol) in 3:1 EtOH/H₂O (400mL) was added NaBH₄ (42.8 g, 113 mmol, 2.00 equiv) in portions, and themixture was stirred at rt under nitrogen for 18 h. The solid was thenremoved by filtration and the filtrate was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (1000mL). The organic extract was dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentratedunder reduced pressure to give a yellow oil. Purification by flashchromatography (120 g Isco silica gel column, 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) affordeddes-cyano compound (5.79 g, 60%) as a yellow oil: ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 400MHz) δ 7.35 (d, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.29 (t, 2H, J=7.2 Hz), 7.24 (t, 1H,J=7.2 Hz), 4.88 (s, 2H), 2.78 (dd, 1H, J=9.9, 8.3 Hz), 2.56-2.70 (m,1H), 2.03 (dt, 1H; J=. 10.5, 7.2 Hz), 1.91-1.98 (m, 1H), 1.85 (dd, 1H,J=12.0, 7.1 Hz), 1.43 (ddd, 1H, J=10.5, 8.8, 4.4 Hz), 0.78 (ddd, 1H,J=6.1, 3.9, 3.8 Hz), 0.17 (dt, 1H, J=7.7, 6.1 Hz).

Example 3, Step 4a. (2S,3R)-Methanopyrrolidine. To a solution of theStep 3a methanopyrrolidine (10.6 g, 61.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL) wasslowly added 1-chloroethyl chloroformate (8.6 mL, 80 mmol, 1.3 equiv) atrt under nitrogen, and the reaction was stirred at rt for 10 min andthen heated at reflux for 17 h. The mixture was then cooled to rt andMeOH (100 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was heated at reflux for2 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue wastriturated with CH₂Cl₂/Et₂O several times to afford the desired compoundas the HCl salt (6.6 g, 90%) as an off-white solid: ¹H NMR (400 MHz,CD₃OD) 3.36-3.43 (m, 1H), 3.27-3.34 (m, 1H), 2.84-2.94 (m, 1H),2.12-2.19 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.86 (dt, 1H, J=13.7, 4.9 Hz), 0.92 (ddd, 1H,J=7.2, 4.9, 2.8 Hz), 0.85 (dd, 1H, J=15.9, 7.2 Hz).

Example 3, Step 5.(2S,3R)-1-[(2S)-N-Boc-2-(3-hydroxyadamant-1-yl)glycinyl]-2,3-methanopyrrolidine.Method A from Example 3, Step 4 compound: To a mixture of the Example 1,Step 8 acid (156.7 mg, 0.48 mmol), the Step 4 amine (60 mg, 0.51 mmol,1.06 equiv) and PyBOP (456 mg, 0.88 mmol, 1.83 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (4.5 mL)was added N-methylmorpholine (0.16 mL, 1.5 mmol, 3.1 equiv) and themixtue was stirred at rt for 20 h. The reaction was then quenched with5% KHSO₄ (4.8 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×50 mL). The combinedorganic layers were washed with brine (8 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flashchromatography (35 g Isco silica gel column, EtOAc/hexane gradient)afforded a mixture of amides (114 mg) as a white solid. Separation ofthe isomers by chiral column chromatography (Chiralpak AD column, 15%IPA/hexane isocratic) generated the corresponding separated amides A(41.6 mg, 40.6%) and B (31.2 mg, 27.4%). Data for isomer A: Chiral HPLC(Zorbax SB C18 4.6×75 mm, linear gradient over 8 min) retention time7.23 min (purity 92%, 100% ee); Chiral analytical HPLC (Daicel chiralcelAD 4.6×250 mm, 15% IPA/hexane) retention time 10.98 min (100% ee); LC/MSm/z218 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400) δ 5.35 (d, 1H, J=9.9 Hz) 4.48 (d, 1H,J=9.9 Hz), 3.99 (ddd, 1H, J=13.2, 10.6, 3.3 Hz), 3.58-3.65 (m, 1H), 3.03(dt, 1H, J=12.8, 8.8 Hz), 2.22 (bs, 1H), 2.07-2.17 (m, 1H), 1.96 (ddd,1H, J=12.5, 8.8, 3.3 Hz) (m, 23H), 1.24-1.28 (m, 1H), 0.86-0.90 (m, 1H),0.57-0.62 (td, 1H, J=5.5, 2.6 Hz). Data for isomer B: HPLC (Zorbax SBC18 4.6×75 mm, linear gradient over 8 min) retention time 7.22 min(96%); Chiral analytical HPLC (Daicel chiralcel AD 4.6×250 mm, 15%IPA/hexane) retention time 14.12 min (100% ee).

Method B from Example 3, Step 4a compound: A mixture of the acid ofExample 1, Step 8 (96 mg, 0.30 mmol), amine of Step 4a (35 mg, 0.29mmol, 0.97 equiv), PyBOP (236.1 mg, 0.45 mmol, 1.5 equiv) andN-methylmorpholine (0.09 mL, 0.84 mmol, 2.8 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (2.5 mL)was stirred at rt for 20 h. The reaction was then quenched by theaddition of 5% KHSO₄ (3 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×80 mL). Thecombined organic extracts were washed with brine (5 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered and concentrated under reduced pressure to give a yellow oil.Purification by flash chromatography (35 g Isco silica gel column,EtOAc/hexane gradient followed by CH₂Cl₂/MeOH gradient) afforded amideisomer A (110.5 mg, 97.5%) as a yellow oil: LC/MS m/z 391 [M+H]⁺; HPLC(Zorbax SB C18 4.6×75 mm, linear gradient over 8 min) retention time7.23 min (99%); Chiral analytical HPLC (Daicel chiralcel AD 4.6×250 mm,15% IPA/hexane) retention time 10.74 min (100% ee).

Example 3, Step 6.(2S,3R)-1-[(2S)-2-(3-hydroxyadamant-1-yl)glycinyl]-2,3-methanopyrrolidine.To a solution of the amide of Step 5 (7.20 g, 18.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50mL) was added a solution of 4 N HCl in dioxane (35 mL, 140 mmol, 7.5equiv) and the resulting mixture was stirred at rt for 75 min. Thereaction mixture was then concentrated under reduced pressure and theresidue was sequentially triturated with 1:5 CH₂Cl₂/Et₂O (120 mL) andEt₂O ether (100 mL). Evaporation of the volatiles followed bylyophilization from H₂O gave the HCl salt of the desired compound (6.3g, 91%, based on 1.33H₂O and 1.64 HCl) as a white solid: HPLC(Phenominex Luna 3μ C18 4.6×150 mm, 95% A to 95% B (A=H₂O+0.05% TFA,B=Acetonitrile+0.05% TFA, flow rate 1 mL/min, linear gradient over 42min) retention time 13.37 min (97.9%); Chiral analytical HPLC (ChiralpakAD 10 μ 4.6×250 mm, 80% heptane+20% 1:1 EtOH:MeOH+0.1% DEA, flow rate 1mL/min, isocratic) retention time 10.56 min (98.2% ee); LC/MS m/z 291[M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (D₂O) δ 4.16 (s, 1H), 3.82 (ddd, 1H, J=13.2, 10.3, 2.9Hz), 3.48 (td, 1H, J=6.2, 2.6 Hz), 2.94 (dt, 1H, J=13.1, 8.7 Hz), 2.14(bs, 2H), 1.94-2.05 (m, 1H), 1.88 (ddd, 1H, J=12.4, 8.4, 3.3 Hz), 1.74(ddd, 1H, J=8.8, 11.4, 5.2), 1.3-1.73 (m, 12H), 0.74-0.85 (m, 1H),0.65-0.71 (td, 1H, J=5.7, 2.6); NMR (D₂O, 400 MHz) δ 167.3, 69.1, 59.6,45.3, 45.1, 43.1, 39.7, 38.2, 37.1, 36.8, 36.6, 34.5, 30.2, 30.1, 24.4,18.9, 12.8; Anal. Calcd for C₁₈H₂₅N₃O₃.1.64 HCl.1.33H₂O: C, 54.56; H,8.16; N, 7.49; Cl, 15.57. Found: C, 54.42; H, 7.86; N, 7.35; Cl, 15.57.KF, 6.39.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 4, Step 1. (S)-N-Boc-3,5-Dihydroxyadamantylglycine. Refer to theprocedure of Example 1, Step 8 that generateshydroxyadamantyl-N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl-L-glycine. During the reaction,the diol is formed as a lower Rf minor product. Slightly longer reactiontimes (up to 90 min) gave up to 17% of the diol in addition to theExample 1, Step 8 compound. With the procedure identical in every otherrespect, the diol is obtained as a white solid, after chasing withhexanes, by flushing the column with 15% MeOH—CH₂Cl₂-0.5% HOAc. ¹H NMR(500 MHz, CD₃OD) 1.41-1.73 (m, 21H), 2.29 (brs, 1H), 3.95 (s, 1H). ¹³CNMR (125 MHz, CD₃OD) 174.2, 157.9, 80.6, 71.0, 70.9, 63.1, 52.5, 49.6,48.3, 46.3, 43.9, 41.8, 37.5, 31.8, 28.7.

Example 4, Step 2.(2S,3R)-1-[(2S)-N-Boc-2-(3,5-dihydroxyadamant-1-yl)glycinyl]-2,3-methanopyrrolidine.Method A: To a mixture of the acid of Step 1 (163.5 mg, 0.48 mmol),amine of Example 3, Step 4 (67.0 mg, 0.56 mmol, 1.16 equiv) and PyBOP(456 mg, 0.88 mmol, 1.83 equiv) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (4.5 mL) was addedN-methylmorpholine (0.16 mL, 1.5 mmol, 3.1 equiv), and the mixture wasstirred at rt for 24 h. The reaction mixture was then partitionedbetween 5% KHSO₄ (4.8 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×50 mL). The combined organiclayers were washed with brine (8 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered andconcentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flashchromatography (35 g Isco silica gel column, CH₂Cl₂/MeOH gradient)afforded 150 mg (76.8%) of a mixture of amides A and B as a white solid.Separation by chiral column chromatography (Chiralcel OD column, 3%IPA/hexane isocratic) afforded amide A (42.7 mg, 21.9%) and amide B (22mg, 11.3%) as white solids. For isomer A: HPLC (Zorbax SB C18 4.6×75 mm,linear gradient over 8 min) retention time 5.96 min (99%); Chiralanalytical HPLC (Daicel chiralcel OD 4.6×250 mm, 3% IPA/hexaneisocratic) retention time 43.34 min (100% ee); LC/MS m/z407 [M+H]⁺; ¹HNMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 5.37 (d, 1H, J=9.7 Hz), 4.56 (d, 1H, J=9.7 Hz),3.99 (ddd, 1H, J=13.2, 10.6, 3.1 Hz) 3.61 (td, 1H, J=6.2, 2.3 Hz), 3.04(dt, 1H, J=13.2, 8.8 Hz), 2.37 (dddd, 1H, J=3.1, 3.1, 3.1, 3.1 Hz),2.05-2.25 (m, 1H), 1.97 (ddd, 1H, J=12.3, 8.8, 3.1 Hz), 1.20-1.80 (m,22H), 0.86-0.92 (m, 1H), 0.57-0.63 (td, 1H, J=5.7, 2.6 Hz). For isomerB: HPLC (Zorbax SB C18 4.6×75 mm, linear gradient over 8 min) retentiontime 5.96 min (99%); LC/MS m/z 407 [M+H]⁺; Chiral analytical HPLC(Daicel chiralcel OD 4.6×250 mm, 3% IPA/hexane isocratic) retention time38.8 min (100% ee). Method B from Example 3, Step 4a compound: A mixtureof acid of Step 1 (86 mg, 0.25 mmol), amine of Example 3, Step 4a (30mg, 0.25 mmol, 1.0 equiv), PyBOP (202.3 mg, 0.38 mmol, 1.5 equiv) andN-methylmorpholine (0.08 mL, 0.73 mmol, 2.9 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (2.0 mL)was stirred at rt for 20 h. The reaction mixture was quenched with theaddition of 5% KHSO₄ (2.5 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×25 mL). Thecombined organic extracts were washed with brine (4 mL) dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered and evaporated to give a foam. Purification by flashchromatography (35 g Isco silica gel column, CH₂Cl₂/MeOH gradient)afforded amide A (92.5 mg, 89.9%) as a white foam: LC/MS m/z 407 [M+H]⁺;Chiral analytical HPLC (Daicel chiralcel OD 4.6×250 mm, 3% IPA/hexaneisocratic) retention time 43.86 min (100% ee).

Example 4, Step 3.(2S,3R)-1-[(2S)-2-(3,5-dihydroxyadamant-1-yl)glycinyl]-2,3-methanopyrrolidine.A mixture of the amide of Step 2 (39.3 mg, 0.097 mmol), TFA (0.15 mL)and CH₂Cl₂ (0.15 mL) was stirred at rt for 1 h. The reaction mixture wasthen diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (1.9 mL) and concentrated under reducedpressure to give the crude product. Trituration of the crude productwith Et₂O (2×1 mL) afforded the desired compound (39.1 mg, 96.1%) as awhite solid: HPLC (Phenominex 4.6×50 mm) retention time 1.08 min (100%);LC/MS m/z 307 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (D₂O, 400 MHz) δ 4.65 (s, 1H), 4.29 (ddd,1H, J=13.2, 10.6, 2.6 Hz), 3.85-3.93 (m, 1H), 3.40 (dt, 1H, J=13.2, 8.8Hz), 2.72 (d, 1H, J=3.1), 2.38-2.49 (m, 1H), 2.6-2.37 (m, 1H), 2.14-2.24(m, 1H), 1.70-2.60 (m, 15H), 1.18-1.30 (m, 1H), 0.97-1.04 (m, 1H); LRMS(ES⁺) 307.0, 329.0, 613.2, 635.2; HRMS calcd for: C₁₇H₂₆N₂O₃ 307.2022;Found: 307.2025.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 5; Step 1.

To a solution of 3,5-dimethyl-1-adamantane carboxylic acid (6.0 g, 28.8mmol) in THF (150 mL) at rt was slowly added lithium aluminum hydride(1.0 M in THF, 30 mL, 30 mmol) over 10 min. Thr reaction was exothermicduring the addition and the reaction temperature approached 60° C. Thereaction was cooled to rt and stirred for 3 h. Saturated Na₂SO₄ (−5 mL)was very carefully added dropwise over 20 min until no further gasevolution was observed. The reaction was then diluted with Et₂O (200mL), solid Na₂SO₄ (10 g) was added and the reaction was stirredvigorously for 2 h. Solids were removed by filtration and were rinsedtwice with Et₂O. The combined eluent was reduced under vacuum to givethe crude 3,5-dimethyladamant-1-yl)methanol as a light yellow oil whichsolidified on standing.

To a solution of DMSO (4 mL, 57.7 mmol) in DCM (125 mL) under nitrogenat −78° C. was added dropwise oxalyl chloride (2.0 M in DCM, 18.75 mL,37.5 mmol) over 30 min. After final addition the reaction mixture wasstirred at −78° C. for 30 min. With the reaction mixture still at −78°C., a solution of crude (3,5-dimethyladamant-1-yl)methanol from above inDCM (50 mL) was added dropwise over 20 min. After stirring the reactionat −78° C. for 2 h, Et₃N (15 mL) was added slowly over 10 min and thereaction was stirred for 30 min at −78° C. Saturated NaH₂PO₄ (15 mL) wasadded followed by water (150 mL), and the reaction was then warmed tort. The DCM layer was separated, washed twice with 1N HCl and sat'dNaHCO₃, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give the step 1compound, 3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-carboxaldehyde (5.58 g).

Example 5; Step 2.

To a rt solution of 3,5-dimethyladamantane-1-carboxaldehyde (5.58 g, 29mmol) in methanol (28 mL) and water (75 mL) was added(R)-(−)-2-phenylglycinol (3.98 g, 29 mmol), KCN (1.97 g, 30.16 mmol) andNaHSO₃ (3.02 g, 29 mmol). The reaction was then heated at 100° C. for 16h, cooled to rt, diluted with EtOAc (200 mL) and stirred vigorously for15 min. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed twicewith water and once with brine. The organics were dried over Na₂SO₄,filtered and concentrated to provide the step 2 compound (8.5 g).(M+H)⁺=339.12

Example 5; Step 3.

The Step 2 compound (8.5 g) was taken up in conc. HCl (100 mL):HOAc (15mL) and heated at 80° C. for 18 h. The reaction was cooled to rt anddiluted with water (˜100 mL) and an oily precipitate formed. Thereaction mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (250 mL) and thisextract was washed twice with water. The aqueous layers were then backextracted twice, in the order the layers were generated, withdichloromethane. The combined organic extracts were dried over MgSO₄,filtered and concentrated to give the step 3 compound (8.9 g) as a whitesolid. (M+H)⁺=358.05

Example 5; Step 4.

To a solution of the step 3 carboxylic acid (8.9 g) in methanol (200 mL)was added HOAc (20 mL) and Pearlman's catalyst (1.5 g). The reactionvessel was charged to 50 p.s.i. and the reaction was stirred overnight.The reaction mixture was then filtered through a plug of celite, and theplug was washed liberally with methanol. The combined eluent wasconcentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting residue wastriturated with Et₂O to give (S)-(3,5-dimethyladamantan-1-yl)-glycine(4.2 g) as a white solid. This solid was taken up in DMF (75 mL) andtreated with BOC₂₀ (6 mL), K₂CO₃ (6 g) and stirred overnight at rt.Solvents were removed under vacuum and the residue was partitionedbetween Et₂O (100 mL) and water (100 mL). With the pH at −8, the waterlayer was washed twice with Et₂O. 1N HCl was added dropwise to theaqueous layer to adjust to pH ˜3. The aqueous layer was then extractedtwice with EtOAc and twice with dichloromethane. The combined organicswere dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to provide the step 4compound, N-BOC-(3,5-dimethyladamantan-1-yl)-glycine (3.83 g) as a whitesolid. MS m/e (M+H)⁺=338.1

Example 5; Step 5.

To a solution of N-BOC-(3,5-dimethyladamantan-1-yl)-glycine (1.79 g, 5.3mmol) in 2% KOH/water (75 mL) at rt was added KMnO₄ (1.0 g, 6.3 mmol).The reaction was heated to 90° C. for 2 h. An additional portion ofKMnO₄ (0.3 g, 1.9 mmol) was added and the reaction was heated at 90° C.for an additional 1.5 h. The reaction was then diluted with EtOAc (150mL) and with vigorous mixing the pH was addjusted to ˜3 with 1N HCl. TheEtOAc layer was separated and set aside. The aqueous layer was thenextracted once more with EtOAc and twice with dichloromethane. Thecombined organics were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated togive N-BOC-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine (1.91 g). MS m/e(M+H)⁺=354.2

Example 5; Step 6.

To a solution of N-BOC-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine (113mg, 0.320 mmol) in dichloromethane (3 mL) at rt was added EDAC (113 mg)and HOBT (113 mg). The reaction was stirred at rt for 10 min, and thenpyrrolidine (100 μL) was added. After stirring overnight at rt thereaction was diluted with EtOAc, washed twice with 1N HCl and once withNaHCO₃. The organics were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated.The residue was taken up in dichloromethane (2 mL) and 4N HCl in dioxane(2 mL) and stirred for 2 h at rt. Solvent was removed and purificationby reverse-phase preparative HPLC provided(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine pyrrolidine amide (92 mg).MS m/e (M+H)⁺=307.3.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 6; Step 1.

To a solution of Example 5; Step 5 compound,N-BOC-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine (40 mg, 0.113 mmol)in dichloromethane (3 mL) at rt was added EDAC (40 mg) and HOBT (40 mg).The reaction was stirred at rt for 10 min and then piperidine (50 μL)was added. After stirring overnight at rt the reaction was diluted withEtOAc, washed twice with 1N HCl and once with sat'd NaHCO₃. The organicswere dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated. The residue was takenup in dichloromethane (2 mL) and 4N HCl in dioxane (2 mL) and stirredfor 2 h at rt. The solvent was removed, and purification byreverse-phase preparative HPLC provided(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine piperidine amide (92 mg).MS m/e (M+H)⁺=321.3.

EXAMPLE 7

This compound was prepared fromN-BOC-(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine and azetidine in amanner similar to that previously described for Example 6 to provide(3-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyladamant-1-yl)-glycine azetidine amide. MS m/e(M+H)⁺=292.2.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 8, Step1.(S)-3,5-Dihydroxyadamantylglycine-L-cis-4,5-methanoprolinenitrile TFAsalt. A coupling reaction between Example 4 Step 1 compound (300 mg,0.88 mmol, 1 equiv) and L-cis-4,5-methanoprolinamide (253 mg, 1.05 mmol,1.2 equiv) was carried out using HOBT (356 mg, 2.64 mmol, 3.0 equiv),EDAC (340 mg, 1.76 mmol, 2.0 equiv), and TEA (0.37 mL, 2.64 mmol, 3.0equiv). the product was purified on SiO₂ flash column with a gradient of10-20% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ to give the coupled amide that was contaminated withHOBT. This impure material was brought on immediately to the dehydrationreaction in two separate reactions. In each reaction, the amide (100 mg,0.11 mmol) was dissolved in 1 mL THF and cooled to 0° C. and to thereaction was added pyridine (0.054 mL, 0.66 mmol, 6 equiv) followed byaddition of trifluoroacetic anhydride (0.056 mL, 0.39 mmol, 3.5 equiv).No starting material was seen by TLC (SiO₂, 7% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) after 30min. The solvent was removed and the intermediate trifluoroacetatenitrile was hydrolyzed by stirring with 10% K₂CO₃ (1 mL) in MeOH (2 mL)at rt for 18 h. The two reactions appeared comparable and were combined.The MeOH was removed and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc(2×20 mL). The extracts were dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, concentrated, andpurified by flash chromatography with a gradient of 7-8% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ toafford the nitrile (78 mg, 41%) over two steps as a white foam. ¹H NMR(500 MHz, CDCl₃) 1.01-1.06 (m, 2H), 1.32-1.78 (m, 22H, includes N-Bocsinglet), 1.85-1.91 (m, 1H), 2.06 (bs, 2H), 2.34-2.38 (m, 2H), 2.52-2.59(m, 1H), 3.80-3.84 (m, 1H), 4.52 (d, J=9.9, 1H), 5.0 (dd, J=10.6, 2.2,1H), 5.46 (d, J=9.9, 1H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃) 169.8, 155.8, 119.2,80.1, 70.4, 58.0, 51.9, 45.3, 45.2, 45.1, 43.1, 42.9, 42.6, 38.0, 36.3,30.4, 28.4, 17.9, 13.7. MS (FAB) m/z432 [M+H]⁺.

Example 8, Step 2. The nitrile of Step 1 (64 mg, 0.15 mmol) wasdeprotected using TFA according to the procedure described in Example 1,Step 10. The solvents were removed after 2.5 h and the resulting oil waschased with CH₂Cl₂/toluene (2×) to obtain an off-white solid.Purification by preparative HPLC [YMC S50DS 30 mm×100 mm, 15 mingradient of 0 to 100% B, 25 mL/min. 220 nm, A=10% MeOH-90% H₂O-0.1% TFAand B=90% MeOH-10% H₂O-0.1% TFA, elution time 5-6 min.) afforded, afterlyophillization from H₂O, 34 mg (53%) of the desired compound as a whitelyophillate. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CD₃OD) 0.89-0.92 (m, 1H), 1.00-1.05 (m,1H), 1.41-1.70 (m, 12H), 1.89-1.96 (m, 1H), 2.24-2.31 (m, 2H), 2.51-2.55(m, 1H), 3.80-3.84 (m, 1H), 4.26 (s, 1H), 5.10 (dd, J=10.0, 2.2, 1H).3.88-3.96 (m, 1H), 4.28 (s, 1H), 5.19 (d, J=10.7, 1H); ¹³C NMR (125 MHz,CD₃OD) 167.2, 120.3, 70.5, 59.4, 52.4, 47.1, 45.8, 45.7, 43.7, 43.6,42.1, 39.3, 37.1, 31.6, 31.4, 19.3, 14.5. HPLC (YMC S-5 C18 4.6×50 mm,0-100% B, MeOH/H₂O/H₃PO₄) RT=1.987 min; HRMS m/z calcd [M+H]⁺ forC₁₈H₂₅N₃O₃ 332.1974, found 332.1981. Anal. (C₁₈H₂₅N₃O₃.1.15CF₃CO₂H.1.50H₂O)C, H, N.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 9; Step 1

Step 1 compound was prepared by the method described in Example 1; Step1 using Example 1; Step 8 carboxylic acid to give the title compound.Example 9; Step 2.

An oven-dried round bottomed flask was charged with the Step 1 compound(50 mg, 0.15 mmol), pyridine (0.5 mL), and dichloromethane sealed undernitrogen atmosphere and cooled to 0° C. Slow addition of TFAA (95 mg,0.45 mmol) gave after mixing a thick slurry. The mixture was stirred at0° C. for 3 h and the reaction quenched with a mixture of methanol andaqueous K₂CO₃. The pH=9.5 and the mixture was stirred overnight. Thevolatiles were evaporated, and the remainder was partitioned between asmall volume of water and dichloromethane. The organic layer was dried(MgSO₄), concentrated, and purified by flash column chromatography with95:5 to 85:15 dichloromethane/methanol to yielded 40 mg (85%) of thetitle compound.Example 9; Step 3.

The step 3 compound was prepared using the Step 2 compound following theprocedure of Example 1; step 10 to give the title compound. MS m/e(M+H)+303.3

EXAMPLES 10 TO 16

The following Examples (10-16) were prepared using methods similar tothose previously described herein and/or by methods readily available toone skilled in the art. Exam- MS m/e ple # Structure [M + H]⁺ 10

274.2 11

306.2 12

318.2 13

331.2 14

359.3 15

407.3 16

393.2Reference Standard Compound Preparation

Reference Standard Example 1. (Ashworth, Doreen M.; Atrash, Butrus;Baker, Graham R.; Baxter, Andrew J.; Jenkins, Paul D.; Jones, D.Michael; Szelke, Michael.

4-Cyanothiazolidides as very potent, stable inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase IV. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (1996), 6(22),2745-2748.)

Reference Standard Example 1; Step 1.

The step 1 compound was prepared using am L-(−)-prolinamide andN-tert-butoxycarbonyl-(L)-iso-leucine following the procedure of Example11; step 1 to give the title compound.Reference Standard Example 1; Step 2.

The step 2 compound was prepared using the step 1 compound following theprocedure of Example 11; step 2 to give the title compound.

Reference Standard Example 1; Step 3.

The step 3 compound was prepared using the step 2 compound following theprocedure of Example 11; step 3 to give the title compound.

Reference Standard Example 2 (Pauly, Robert P.; Demuth, Hans-Ulrich;Rosche, Fred; Schmidt, Jorn; White, Heather A.; Lynn, Francis; Mcintosh,Christopher H. S.; Pederson, Raymond A. Improved glucose tolerance inrats treated with the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26) inhibitorIle-thiazolidide. Metabolism, Clinical and Experimental (1999), 48(3),385-389.)

Reference Standard Example 2; Step 1.

The step 1 compound was prepared using thiazolidine andN-tert-butoxycarbonyl-(L)-iso-leucine following the procedure of Example11; step 1 to give the title compound.Reference Standard Example 2; Step 2.

Reference Standard Example 2; step 2 compound was prepared using thestep 1 compound following the procedure of Example 11; step 3 to givethe title compound.

Solution Stability

Studies on proline boronic acid deptide inhibitors of dipeptidylpeptidase IV as detailed in J. Am Chem Soc., 116, 10860-10869, (1994)have indicated that there is a strong correlation between the amount ofβ-branching in the N-terminal amino acid residue and the rate ofcyclization to form a hydroxy-[1,4,2]diazaborinan-5-one ring system.This was best illustrated by changes in the solution half-lives wherethe AlaBP (t_(1/2)=0.73 h) cyclized faster than the more highly branchedinhibitors ProBP (t_(1/2)=2.6 h) and the VaIBP (t_(1/2)=3.1 h). Asobserved the greater degree of β-branching imparts a greater degree ofsolution stability.

Solution stability studies on 2-cyano-pyrrolidines have followed asimilar trend demonstrating unique characteristics of highly branchedamino acids. In experiments at pH=7.2 and 39° C., the greater degree ofβ-branching the greater degree of stability associated with thecompound. For example, the tert-Leucine-cyanopyrrolide (11; t_(1/2)=27h) is nearly 6 times more stable than the isomericiso-Leucine-cyanopyrrolide (Ref. Std. 1; t_(1/2)=5 h). These effects canbe understood through computational analysis where the □□H's of the moststable conformation is compared to the conformation where cycization isexpected to proceed from. These are depected in the table below. As canbe seen from the table below by increaseing β-branching the conformationwhere increased stabilty resides is reinforced. Hence the highlybranched and bulky Adamantyl imparts greater stability≧tert-butyl>iso-propyl.

Conformations were generated for the proline forms of the N-terminaldipeptide compounds. The calculated ground state structure for thedipeptide has a conformation, characterized by a small C(1)-N—C(6)-Otorsional angle at or near 0°. In addition to this configuration, thereis a calculated local low energy minimum where the reactive amine andnitrile are in close proximity to each other; in this configuration theC(1)-N—C(6)-O torsional angle is near 180°. Moreover, the angle betweenthe amine N and the C≡N group is 109°±1± while the distance between thethese reactive partners is 2.95 Å. It is therefore reasonable to expectthat intramolecular cyclization is initiated from such a conformation.The value of 109° between the amine group and the nitrile is in closeagreement with the hypothetical angle of attack of at least 108°reported by Baxter and Connor. This angle is obtained from X-ray crystalstructure data that advocate the favored direction of approach of anucleophile to an sp carbon of a nitrile making an angle of at least108°. Additionally, Aray and Murgich have reported a similar value of103° based on analysis of charge density from ab initio calculations onCH₃CN. It was envisioned that the relative energetic differences betweenthe global minimum and the local minimum would represent a means tovalidate the relative stabilities of compounds in solution.

The energies in the first column of Table 2 correspond to the differencein conformational energy between the ground state and the geometry inwhich the reactive amine and nitrile are in close proximity, whereinternal cyclization could occur, for compounds lacking the cis-methanogroup. The ab initio (G98) results are expected to be considerably moreaccurate than the force field values. The results indicate that theenergy required to assume the anti conformation grows larger as the sidechain bulk increases (e.g. 0.3, 1.9, 2.9 kcal/mol for no side chain, thealanine and the tert-leucine side chains, respectively). The force fieldenergy results agree qualitatively with the ab initio values, andsuggest that the primary contribution is due to van der Waalsinteractions. Examination of the structures reveals extremely closecontacts between two of the side chain methyl groups and the carbonyloxygen in the anti conformation (approximately 3 Å each) which wouldincrease the difficulty for these compounds to assume the conformationrequired for internal cyclization, and thus lead to greater compoundstability.

Conformation Energies for Cyanopyrrolidino-Peptides with BranchedSidechains

Energy of Anti Relative to syn (Ground State) Conformation ΔΔH^(a)Compound R (kcal/mol) Alanine Me 1.9 Valine Isopropyl 2.2^(b)Tert-leucine t-butyl 2.8 Adamantylglycine Adamantane 2.9Tri-methylylated Tri-methyl-adamantane 2.9 Adamanylglycine^(a)Energies computed using the B3LYP DFT method and the 6-31+G** basisset in Gaussian 98.0. Gaussian 98, Revision A.6, M. J. Frisch, G. W.Trucks, H. B. Schlegel, G. E. Scuseria, Robb, M. A.; Cheeseman, J. R.;Zakrzewski,# V. G.; Montgomery, Jr. J. A.; Millam, J. M.; Replogle, E. S.; Pople,J. A. et. al. Gaussian, Inc.: Pittsburgh PA, 1998.^(b)Average of results for three rotamers of the valine sidechain.

The above data support the unique finding the the greater degree ofβ-branching the greater degree of stability imparted to the DPP-IVinhibitor nitriles.

In Vivo Evaluation

In vivo evaluation of DPP-IV inhibitors has supported the connectionbetween DPP-IV inhibition, increases in plasma insulin levels, and animprovement in glucose tolerance.¹ Several compounds in the presentseries are potent inhibitors of DPP-IV in vitro. As such, theseinhibitors were selected to determine the effects of DPP-IV inhibitionex vivo and on glucose tolerance in Zucker^(fa/fa) rat. TheZucker^(fa/fa) rat is a frequently used model in type II diabetes andobesity research. Zucker^(fa/fa) rats are severely hyperphagic,extremely obese, markedly insulin resistant and mildly hyperglucemic dueto a mutation and lost of function of the leptin receptor gene.^(2,3)Fasted male Zucker^(fa/fa) rats were dosed orally with water, or withinhibitors at (3 μmol/Kg) and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) wasconducted 4 h after the dosing. Plasma glucose levels were thenmonitored over a 2 h period. Columns 3 and 4 show the ex vivo plasmaDPP-IV inhibition activity. Column 4 contians % lowering for AUC's inresponse to an oral glucose challenge (2 g/kg). Animals in the controlgroup reached peak plasma glucose levels 60 min after glucoseadministration, at which point the drug treated animals exhibited amarked decrease in glucose levels compared to controls. Moreover, theadamantyl compounds demonstrated not only a significant improvement ininhibiting DPP-IV activity compared to the reference standards, but alsodemonstrated a increased control in the glucose tolerance assay.Specifically, Reference Standard 1 is has almost no inhibition in the exvivo assay at 4 h, and gives only a slight change in glucose controlwhen dosed at very high levels. In contrast, the adamantyl inhibitorsshow good inhibitory activity in the ex vivo assay, even at extendedtime points. As would be expected, compounds 11 and 9 show good glucosecontrol and are more efficacious in glucose lowering than ReferenceStandard 1. % Inhibition % Inhibition in Rat Ex in Rat Ex Glucose Vivoassay Vivo assay Lowering at 4 h; 3 μmol/kg 3 μmol/kg % AUC's, Cmpd #Structure Ki 0.5 h post dose 4 h post dose compared to control Ref. Std1

 2 nM 30%  5% −11% dosed at 16 μm/kg −19% dosed at 200 μm/kg Ref. Std. 2

110 nM 50% @110 umol/kg — — Ex 8

 17 nM 80% 67% Ex 5

133 nM 70% 66% −39%1. (a) Holst, J. J.; Deacon, C. F. Inhibition of the activity ofDipeptidyl-Peptidase IV as a treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes,1998, 47, 1663-1670. (b) Balkan, B.; Kwansnik, L.; Miserendino, R.;Holst, J. J.; Li, X. Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase IV withNVP-DPP728 increases plasma GLP-1 (7-36 amide) concentrations andimproves oral glucose tolerance in obese Zucker rats. Diabetologia 1999,42(11), 1324-1331.# (c) Rothenberg, P.; Kalbag, J.; Smith, H. T.; Gingerich, R.; Nedelman,J.; Villhauer, E.; McLeod, J.; Hughes, T. Treatment with a DPP-IVInhibitor, NVP-DPP728, Increases Prandial Intact GPL-1 Levels andReduces Glucose Exposure in Humans. Diabetes 2000, 49 (1), A39.2. Truett G, Bahary N, Friedman J M, Leibel R L. The Zucker rat obesitygene fatty (fa) maps to chromosome 5 and is a homologue of the mousediabetes (db) gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1991, 88, 7806-7809.3. McIntosh, C. H. S.; Pederson, R. A.; Noninsulin-Dependent AnimalModels of Diabetes Mellitus. In Experimental Models of Diabetes. Editedby John H. McNeill, CRC Press LLC, 1999, 337-398.In Vivo Assay Methods.

Male Zucker^(fa/fa) rats (Harlan) weighing between 400 and 450 g werehoused in a room that was maintained on a 12 h light/dark cycle and wereallowed free access to normal rodent chow and tap water. The day beforethe experiment, the rats were weighed and divided into control andtreated groups of six. Rats were fasted 17 h prior to the start of thestudy. On the day of the experiment, animals were dosed orally withvehicle (water) or DPP-IV inhibitors (3 μmol/kg) at −30 min. Two bloodsamples were collected at −30 and 0 min by tail bleed. Glucose (2 g/kg)was administered orally at 0 min. Additional blood samples werecollected at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. Blood samples were collectedinto EDTA containing tubes from Starstedt. Plasma glucose was determinedby Cobas Mira (Roche Diagnostics) by the glucose oxidation method.

It should be understood that while this invention has been describedherein in terms of specific embodiments set forth in detail, suchembodiments are presented by way of illustration of the generalprinciples of the invention, and the invention is not necessarilylimited thereto. Certain modifications and variations in any givenmaterial, process step or chemical formula will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit andscope of the present invention, and all such modifications andvariations should be considered within the scope of the claims thatfollow.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A method for treating or delaying the progressionor onset of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy,diabetic nephropathy, wound healing, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia,hyperinsulinemia, Syndrome X, diabetic complications, elevated bloodlevels of free fatty acids or glycerol, hyperlipidemia, obesity,hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis or hypertension, which comprisesadministering to a mammalian species in need of treatment atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I)

wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; the sum of n plus m is lessthen or equal to 2; the dashed bonds forming a cyclopropyl ring when Yis CH; X is hydrogen or CN; Y is CH, CH₂, CHF, CF₂, O, S, SO, or SO₂ Ais adamantyl which can be optionally substituted with from zero to sixsubstituents each independently selected from OR¹, NR¹R², alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkyl,bicycloalkylalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, arylalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkenyl,aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl andcycloheteroalkylalkyl, all optionally substituted through availablecarbon atoms with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 groups selected from hydrogen, halo,alkyl, polyhaloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, polyhaloalkoxy,alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,polycycloalkyl, heteroarylamino, arylamino, cycloheteroalkyl,cycloheteroalkylalkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, cyano, amino,substituted amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, thiol, alkylthio,alkylcarbonyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,alkynylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenylaminocarbonyl,alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,alkylsulfonylamino, alkylaminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino,alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido and sulfonyl;R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl; including pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof, and prodrug esters thereof, and all stereoisomersthereof, with the proviso that the compound of formula (I) is notselected from


18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising administering,concurrently or sequentially, a therapeutically effective amount of atleast one additional therapeutic agent selected from the groupconsisting of an antidiabetic agent, an anti-obesity agent, aanti-hypertensive agent, an anti-atherosclerotic agent, an agent forinhibiting allograft rejection in transplantation and a lipid-loweringagent.
 19. (canceled)
 20. A method of inhibiting DPP-IV comprisingadministering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound offormula (I)

wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2; m is 0, 1 or 2; the sum of n plus m is lessthen or equal to 2; the dashed bonds forming a cyclopropyl ring when Yis CH; X is hydrogen or CN; Y is CH, CH₂, CHF, CF₂, O, S, SO, or SO₂ Ais adamantyl which can be optionally substituted with from zero to sixsubstituents each independently selected from OR¹, NR¹R², alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, bicycloalkyl,bicycloalkylalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, arylalkylthioalkyl, cycloalkenyl,aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl andcycloheteroalkylalkyl, all optionally substituted through availablecarbon atoms with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 groups selected from hydrogen, halo,alkyl, polyhaloalkyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, polyhaloalkoxy,alkoxycarbonyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,polycycloalkyl, heteroarylamino, arylamino, cycloheteroalkyl,cycloheteroalkylalkyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, cyano, amino,substituted amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, thiol, alkylthio,alkylcarbonyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,alkynylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkenylaminocarbonyl,alkylcarbonyloxy, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino,alkylsulfonylamino, alkylaminocarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino,alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonamido and sulfonyl;R¹ and R² are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, aryl and heteroaryl; including pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof, and prodrug esters thereof, and all stereoisomersthereof, with the proviso that the compound of formula (I) is notselected from


21. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the compound of formula(I) is selected from


22. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the compound of formula(I) is selected from


23. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the compound of formula(I) is selected from


24. The method as defined in claim 17 wherein the compound of formula(I) is selected from


25. The method as defined in claim 18 wherein the compound of formula(I) is selected from